Daily Devotional – Thursday, April 10, 2025
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
During one of my prison ministry visits, a discussion arose among Christian women inmates on the issue of loving one’s neighbor, especially the enemy. It became evident that one of the worst prisons that Christians should strive to escape is that of unforgiveness.
Love Your Enemies
For example, one inmate stated that she could not forgive the person who had leveled false accusations that had resulted in her incarceration. Another one narrated how some of her family members had rejected the government’s offer to release her because she had reformed.
Yet another seemingly bitter woman wondered why she should forgive a fellow inmate who was always irritating her and looking for a fight. Such were the stories of bitterness, reluctance to forgive, and refusal to let go of the past.
How to Escape the Prison of Unforgiveness
As a congregation, we reflected on the discussion at length. We agreed that failure to forgive is a prison that is worse than four well-guarded concrete walls. Indeed, even non-inmates like us, the visitors on that day, often find ourselves in jails of resentment, which hurt us and not our perceived aggressors.
Thankfully, God does not leave us to struggle and escape this jail alone. If we are willing, He will fill us with His Holy Spirit. In turn, the Spirit will grow in us His fruit, part of which is love (Galatians 5:22-23). God empowers us to love our enemies, something we cannot do on our own. That is the only way we can escape the prison of unforgiveness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to escape the prison of unforgiveness. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I love my neighbors, especially my enemies.
