“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, or the Lord will see, be displeased, and turn His anger away from him” (Proverbs 24:17-18).
How we respond to our enemies exposes what truly rules our hearts. In a culture that thrives on outrage and rivalry, the downfall of an opponent is often treated as entertainment. We celebrate public failures, share stories of humiliation, and quietly feel justified when someone we oppose stumbles. This spirit seeps into our conversations, our politics, and even our faith.
From an early age, this reaction feels natural. When someone trips or fails, laughter comes easily. As adults, that same instinct matures into something darker. We find satisfaction when our enemies lose influence, credibility, or power. Sometimes we even frame their misfortune as evidence of God’s favor toward us. Scripture, however, confronts this instinct head on. God warns that rejoicing over another’s fall, even the fall of an enemy, displeases Him.
Jesus carried this wisdom further and made it central to life in His kingdom. He did not merely say, do not hate your enemies. He commanded something far more demanding. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. This teaching cuts against every instinct of self-protection and self-justification. Loving enemies is not about approval or agreement. It is about obedience to the heart of God.
Rejoicing in another’s failure requires no effort. It comes naturally. Loving an enemy requires intention, humility, and surrender. It calls us to resist the urge to keep score or seek revenge. It invites us to see others through the lens of God’s mercy rather than our own grievances. Jesus calls His followers to live differently in a world that delights in division.
God’s mercy does not discriminate. He sends rain and sunshine on both the righteous and the unrighteous. He extends patience even to those who oppose Him. If God does not delight in the downfall of the wicked, neither should His people. To celebrate another’s suffering, even when it feels deserved, reveals a heart still shaped by pride rather than grace.
The true measure of our faith is not how kindly we treat those who agree with us or support us. It is revealed in how we respond to those who oppose us, criticize us, or wish us harm. Loving enemies is not weakness. It is strength shaped by trust in God’s justice. It frees us from bitterness and allows God to remain the judge.
When we refuse to gloat over failure and choose mercy instead, we reflect the character of our Father. In doing so, we bear witness to a kingdom that operates by love rather than retaliation. This kind of obedience is costly, but it is also transformative. It changes us, and it may even open a door for healing where hostility once ruled.
PRAYER
Father, my instincts often run toward judgment and pride. Teach me to love when it costs me something. Guard my heart from rejoicing in another’s fall, and help me reflect Your mercy in how I treat those who oppose me. Shape me into a true follower of Jesus. Amen.
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