Text: Matthew 5:43–48; Luke 6:27–36
Forgiving those who hurt us is one of the hardest demands God makes of His children. Nobody finds it easy. Nobody enjoys it. And if we tell the truth, some wounds cut so deep that forgiveness feels almost impossible. But the Bible does not hide from this reality—God knows how difficult it is.
Yet Jesus still commanded it.
Before we go deeper, let me answer your question immediately so you don’t search elsewhere:
You can lean about how God’s mercy is achieved through forgiveness and restoration.
What does the Bible say about forgiving enemies?
The Bible teaches that you must forgive your enemies because forgiveness is a command from God, a reflection of His nature, and a requirement for receiving His forgiveness. Jesus said clearly:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you… pray for them which despitefully use you.” — Matthew 5:44
Forgiving enemies is not optional. It is obedience.
Understanding what forgiveness truly means
Let me explain forgiveness the way Scripture presents it—not the way society or theologians define it. Forgiveness in the Bible is a spiritual release you give to someone who has offended you, not because they deserve it, but because you understand the spiritual consequences of withholding it.
Many people think forgiveness means:
- pretending the hurt never happened
- trusting the offender again immediately
- restoring the relationship
But none of these define forgiveness according to Scripture.
Forgiveness is spiritual obedience that protects your heart and keeps your relationship with God clear.
Jesus demonstrated this perfectly on the cross when He said:
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34
He didn’t excuse their behavior. He didn’t minimize the pain. He simply released them from His heart because He understood the spiritual danger of unforgiveness.
The Bible does not hide the evil people sometimes do
Let me be honest with you: Scripture is full of enemies—people who wounded, betrayed, manipulated, attacked, or destroyed others.
Joseph had brothers who hated him and sold him. David had Saul who chased him like a criminal. Daniel had presidents and governors who plotted his death. Jesus had Judas who betrayed Him with a kiss.
So the Bible knows what deep hurt looks like.
Yet the same Bible tells us to forgive our enemies. Why?
Forgiving enemies protects your destiny
One of the most dangerous things a believer can do is allow bitterness to remain in the heart. Bitterness is a destiny killer. The Bible warns:
“Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” — Hebrews 12:15
Notice the word root. Bitterness does not start big. It starts as a seed. But if it is not uprooted early, it grows until it defiles the whole destiny.
Many people today are stuck—not because God didn’t open doors, but because they are carrying wounds that God asked them to release.
Forgiveness is a spiritual weapon
Forgiveness is not weakness. Forgiveness is not surrender. Forgiveness is not saying “you won.”
Forgiveness is warfare.
You disarm the enemy the moment you forgive. Satan’s oldest strategy is to use pain to keep believers in prison without bars. Jesus warned us about it when He gave the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35). The man who refused to forgive was delivered to tormentors—not demons in hell, but spiritual attack on earth.
Unforgiveness hands your emotions to the enemy. Forgiveness hands the battle to God.
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” — Romans 12:19
Forgiveness says: “Lord, I move out of the way so You can judge this matter.”
How Jesus Himself modeled forgiveness toward enemies
Jesus did not only teach forgiveness—He practiced it.
Judas betrayed Him. Peter denied Him. The Pharisees falsely accused Him. Soldiers beat Him. The crowd mocked Him. But He still said:
“Forgive them.”
He forgave before they repented. He forgave before they apologized. He forgave even though some of them died in their sins.
Forgiveness is not for the offender. Forgiveness is for your soul.
Joseph: a biblical example of forgiving enemies
The story of Joseph is a perfect picture of forgiveness. His brothers plotted evil, sold him as a slave, and destroyed his youth. But when God elevated Joseph, he told them:
“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.” — Genesis 50:20
Joseph forgave because he understood something spiritual: holding onto the past would destroy the future God prepared for him.
This is why Jesus commands forgiveness—it keeps you aligned with your destiny.
David and Saul: another picture of forgiveness under pressure
David had every reason to hate Saul. Saul attempted murder multiple times. He chased David like an animal. He used the entire nation to hunt an innocent man.
Yet when David found Saul sleeping in the cave, he said:
“I will not stretch forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.” — 1 Samuel 24:10
David forgave Saul long before Saul died. That forgiveness kept David’s heart pure enough to sit on the throne.
Jesus’ teachings: the highest standard of forgiveness
Jesus did not teach forgiveness as advice. He commanded it.
“Love your enemies.”
“Bless them that curse you.”
“Pray for them which despitefully use you.” — Matthew 5:44
Forgiveness is the believer’s proof that Christ lives in us.
What forgiveness does NOT mean
Forgiving your enemies does not mean:
- you trust them again immediately
- you give them access to your life
- you pretend nothing happened
- you remain close to people who keep hurting you
Forgiveness does not require reconciliation. Forgiveness requires release.
Even Jesus, after rising from the dead, did not restore the relationship with the Pharisees who killed Him. Forgiveness does not mean “go back.”
Why the Bible insists on forgiveness
Jesus explained the reason plainly:
“If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” — Matthew 6:15
Forgiveness is the covenant key that keeps heaven open over your life.
You cannot hold a grudge and hold grace at the same time.
Forgiveness is your pathway to freedom
Anger binds. Bitterness traps. Resentment poisons. Unforgiveness keeps the spirit in chains.
The moment you forgive, you break the chains the enemy placed around your future.
Forgiveness is freedom.
Read the next message:
Does God Really Expect You To Forgive Everyone? What The Bible Actually Says
And revisit the main message on forgiveness:
Forgiving Others Their Trespasses
Conclusion
Forgiving your enemies is not easy, but it is necessary. Not because they deserve mercy but because you deserve freedom. God never asks you to forgive from your strength. He asks you to forgive from His strength working inside you.
Forgive not because the person changed. Forgive because you refuse to let the enemy hold your destiny hostage.
When you forgive, you become like your Father. When you release the pain, you release your future. And when you obey God by forgiving enemies, heaven opens over your life.