Loving an enemy can purify the spirit more than any other path to being acceptable to God, and it is the only way to find true freedom. The New Testament’s call to love those who oppose us highlights the value of compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Though it may be difficult, the journey toward loving an enemy can lead to personal growth, healing, and a deeper appreciation of the human experience.
Jesus never harbored resentment or bitterness, and He was without sin. The New Testament presents Him as sinless and choosing not to retaliate: when insulted, He did not respond in kind; when suffering, He made no threats but entrusted Himself to the One who judges fairly (1 Peter 2:23). He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), and endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
A pure-hearted person cannot be truly wounded, because such wisdom understands human nature. Jesus encountered people so hostile that they accused Him of being Beelzebub, the prince of demons. At times, they even tried to stone Him. Yet He never took offense; instead, He prayed for them and asked God to forgive their ignorance. Even on the cross, Scripture records no retaliation against the insults hurled at Him until His final breath.
Many people often argue that loving enemies doesn’t apply to humans, seeing Jesus as unique and different from us. Yet, they rarely consider figures like David, who spent years on the run from King Saul; even after his famous victory over Goliath, enabling the same Saul to remain king. David also showed love for his rebellious son Absalom, who tried to seize his throne, even to the frustration of those around him. Joseph displayed the same principle, proving that loving enemies isn’t exclusive to Jesus.
The story of Joseph in the Bible is captivating for both young and old. Joseph grew up under difficult circumstances. His mother died when he was very young, leaving him to wrestle with why God allowed such a loss. He was notably handsome, which sparked envy among his brothers, and this was worsened by his being his father’s favorite.
Often, a father’s love for one child above others comes down to trust. Among siblings, there is usually one whose account is most reliable (Genesis 37:2). Joseph loved his brothers, even though they harbored resentment toward him because of their father’s favoritism. Sharing his troubling dreams only fueled their hatred. His regard for them was tied to their conduct, and he could not keep silent about misdeeds they committed beyond their father’s knowledge.
Joseph valued righteousness, so when he reported his siblings’ mischief, he did so with their well-being in mind. He knew that nothing good could come from falsehood. Though their father loved all his children, he trusted Joseph more because of his honesty in recounting his brothers’ misdemeanors. A turning point came after Joseph shared a dream—perhaps without fully understanding it—that hinted at his future prominence.
Human behavior is shaped by two opposing spirits: the Spirit of God and the spirit of Satan. Practicing righteousness often invites hatred from those swayed by Satan rather than by God. Joseph’s righteousness brought him favor not only from his physical father, Jacob, but also from God. He shared his dreams with the whole clan, implying his eventual elevation above everyone, even his father. On this occasion, his father reacted sharply, surprising Joseph, whose love for his family remained unwavering.
The father continued to cherish the young man, recognizing his potential for greatness. As a gesture of love for Joseph, he gave him a colorful jacket, which only fueled his brothers’ resentment. Ordinary people cannot predict future events, yet his brothers mocked him with cruel jokes inspired by his dream of ruling over the family. They treated him harshly, portraying him as a troublemaker. Still, the Bible presents Joseph as unaffected by such treatment.
He could not have remained handsome if he had carried bitterness within him, though most people are deeply affected by unkindness. Another turning point came when his father sent him to bring food to his brothers in the pasturelands. Instead of welcoming him in his colorful jacket, they plotted to kill him. They conspired to stain the jacket with blood and use it as proof that he had been attacked by wild animals. The father, unsuspecting of foul play, accepted their story without question.
God miraculously spared Joseph’s life by leading them instead to sell him into slavery. Money became more important to them than their brother; their guilty consciences were stirred, yet they felt satisfied to have removed the dreamer whose visions they feared might come true. For God’s people: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
They believed they had ended the dreamer’s journey, not realizing they had actually advanced it. Joseph might have considered ending his life when reflecting on his brothers’ betrayal, but his steadfast faith kept him aligned with God’s plan. His value as a slave brought him into the care of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials in Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph throughout.
Potiphar could not resist the charm and intelligence of the young man’s exceptional service, so Joseph was promoted to oversee his household. Naturally, such a position came with privileges—special meals, comfortable living quarters, and the respect reserved for those in power. Potiphar’s wife, however, was drawn to Joseph’s appealing nature.
It seemed impossible that anyone would suspect Joseph of pursuing the wife of a high-ranking official. The odds were against him, and with no witness to testify in his favor—except God, who allowed the scandal to pass for reasons known to Him—Joseph found himself caught in a scandal born of an unpredictable court of justice.
He tried to reason with her, hoping to protect her dignity, but her desire for the handsome young Hebrew slave persisted. Eventually, Joseph was cornered when she tried to force herself on him. He managed to escape, leaving his outer garment in her grasp. She used it as supposed evidence that Joseph had intended to assault her.
Without a chance to explain his side, Joseph was swiftly judged and imprisoned for allegedly trying to violate his master’s wife. What is most remarkable is that Joseph never let bitterness take root, even when unjustly thrown into prison. Though the experience was painful, he kept a clear conscience, knowing he had done nothing wrong. In short, God gave him a chance to help a fellow inmate, who later connected him to Pharaoh.
Joseph eventually spoke with the Pharaoh of Egypt, interpreting a dream that baffled the king’s fortune-tellers and sorcerers. Thanks to his former prison mate, Joseph’s name gained attention. His accurate interpretation impressed Pharaoh, who rewarded him with a promotion to become Egypt’s second-in-command—a story fit for a Hollywood film.
Despite past relationship struggles and uncertainty, Joseph stayed focused. His brothers despised him enough to sell him into slavery, yet he understood them, even if they could not understand him. He committed to doing the right thing, and when imprisoned unfairly, he never lost hope, trusting that God had a purpose for his trials.
Joseph’s promotion was not by chance but carefully orchestrated, possibly from before his birth. Unaware of God’s plan until his dreams took shape, he stayed committed to doing the right thing at all times. Every hardship became another step toward the ultimate goal God had set for him. When the moment arrived, he had no reason to dwell on the painful experiences of his past.
Later, his brothers learned that food was available in Egypt, prompting them to travel there to escape the devastating famine and save their lives. No one can claim mastery over preventing natural disasters, yet each of us has a God-given destiny, even one determined by such unforeseen disasters. Losing focus and letting bitterness creep in leads us astray and keeps us from seeing the bigger picture—the picture Joseph kept before his eyes.
There was nothing extraordinary about him except his unwavering commitment to righteousness, which is the essence of godliness. Those who fail to stay focused on what is right risk being swayed by evil when dictated to by their emotions. The most striking part of Joseph’s story came after Jacob’s death, when his brothers still carried deep guilt toward the man who had saved them. They believed asking for forgiveness was enough to put the past behind them.
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them (Genesis 50:15–21 NIV).
Despite all the years Joseph had treated them kindly, their guilty conscience weighed heavily, and they wondered if he could ever forgive them. They likely felt secure while their father was alive, assuming Joseph was merely waiting for his death before striking back. However, it seems Joseph never considered taking revenge for what his brothers had done to him.
Joseph, who consistently sought righteousness, had always recognized God’s hand in every aspect of his life: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children” (Genesis 50:19–21). These are the timeless words that should resonate through the present era, safeguarding human dignity.
Joseph’s words revealed that his brothers were not aligned with him, even at that time of living under his protection. They meant to harm him, but God used their intent to shape him into someone who would save the whole clan. Yet, being human, even after Joseph shared such insight, his brothers continued to credit Joseph’s greatness instead of God.
Human greatness is inherently limited. Giving credit to humans rather than to God appeals to many, because they cannot see God’s work in people. Joseph’s brothers failed to appreciate God and focused only on Joseph’s greatness. This explains their anger at his dreams, which eventually led to his rise to a prestigious position.
The key takeaway from this story is that there’s no need to be angry at others when we recognize humanity’s fall from God’s grace. Does this mean some people are unimportant to God? Every human was created uniquely special. God works with each person according to their faith. Jesus often spoke about faith. All people were created in God’s image, but God will never force Himself on those who choose not to accept Him.
There is a spark of divine nature in everyone. Even without the Bible, people instinctively know what is right and wrong. On a scale of ten, one person might have only two points of godly qualities, while another might choose to have eight of ten. The more a person leans toward godliness, the more God reveals Himself through them.
When someone pursues evil over righteousness, they fall into the category of sinners. This is why Joseph was able to overcome wrongdoing and fulfill God’s plan for his life. He could have given in to bitterness and been rejected by God, but he resisted.
Temptations are an inevitable part of life, and overcoming them depends on a person’s measure of righteousness. The trial involving Potiphar’s wife was particularly challenging. Having been promoted to oversee Potiphar’s household, Joseph could not have expected any greater honor.
Romantic infatuation can easily be mistaken for true love, but Joseph stayed principled and focused on righteousness. He knew that Potiphar’s wife’s infatuation was far from genuine affection. He knew adultery was wrong, and as a slave, engaging in such behavior could mean risking his life. At that level, the danger of adultery was severe, potentially leading to death.
Reading Joseph’s story, one might see parallels with situations in which others failed the test. Some might have ended up in jail, as many have been wrongly convicted of crimes such as rape. These real-life experiences are worth comparing with Joseph’s account. Joseph’s story is not unique when viewed alongside what humanity often faces.
There are countless similar stories in which people could not overcome the challenges. More important than tracking someone’s past actions is avoiding self-pity, which should be seen as a sin that leads to bitterness. As humans, we all have similar stories. How we handle them depends on whether we understand God’s work in our lives.
It is always best to focus on the present instead of dwelling on past challenges and praising yourself for overcoming them. The greatest principle is to let others speak of your strengths rather than reminiscing about your own successes. The goal is to chase righteousness at all times, keeping it distinct from personal traits, since it is a divine quality.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, which lays out standards for lifting Zimbabwe out of its current economic depression and into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, offering relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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