What should be the believer’s attitude toward God’s enemies? Follow my thoughts on this because I believe you’ll find them to be more balanced than the title might suggest.
Art Linkletter was famous for saying, “Kids say the darndest things.” Let me twist that around and say, “Christians say the dumbest things.”
Here’s an example.
I once read an item in a Christian newsletter about angry atheists. There was (and maybe still is) a group who encourage young people to put videos of themselves blaspheming God on the Internet. A spokesman for the group said children shouldn’t be taught religion because they’re too young and impressionable to make up their own minds.
This proves atheists can say the dumbest things, too. But I digress.
The author of the Christian newsletter quoted psalm 14:1.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
He also said atheists are to be pitied.
Is this guy from the same planet I’m from? (We won’t say who’s from which planet.)
Hasn’t he read his bible lately? If he has, he’s choosing to ignore the verse he himself quotes and a whole lot more. Athiests are not just fools, but are among God’s enemies.
Consider David whom Scripture says was a man after God’s own heart. God let’s us see much of what was in David’s heart in the psalms he wrote which show his wide ranging thoughts and emotions. Here’s what he wrote in Psalm 139:19-22.
19. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22. I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Yes, David hated people. But it was a righteous hatred. Specifically he hated the wicked who hated God. He considered them his enemies.
Why not? If the wicked are God’s enemies, aren’t those people enemies of God’s people as well?
Notice David said he grieved, but he didn’t say he was going to pity God’s enemies. However, he may have grieved that anyone could rebel against such a wonderful and holy God as the one true God.
Now notice David’s prayer in verses 23-24.
23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I believe David knew the dangers of unrighteous hatred and would have agreed with Hebrews 12:14-15 from the New Testament.
14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Bitterness and ill conceived hatred can ruin relationships, but this isn’t what David exhibits in the above verses from Psalm 139.
You may be asking, “Shouldn’t we give atheists the Gospel?”
One can try. Then your conscience is clear, and they’ll stand accountable before God one day for having heard the truth.
But don’t forget the admonition in Proverbs 9:8.
8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
When Jesus sent disciples out to preach, He said this in Matthew 10:14.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”
There comes a time when we must realize there are some people who simply cannot be reached. There’s no communicating with them.
The bottom line? Don’t pity athiests who will be destroyed with all the wicked. Ultimately, God won’t tolerate those who oppose Him, to put it mildly.
Proverbs 16:4 says this.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Proverbs 16:25 says this.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The unbelieving and unrepentant have chosen their way. Don’t pity them for that.