1652) In my opinion, God’s children are instructed to do two of the most difficult things in Luke 6:28. The verse tells us to Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Let’s dig a little deeper.

The word bless used here in the Greek means to speak well of. This is something I find highly difficult. I’d much rather “vent” about someone who has maliciously maligned me than speak well of them. How can I do this?

The second word in this verse I find difficult is the instruction to pray for those who mistreat me. The translation of mistreat is a Greek word which means to be insulted or treated wrongfully. Well, maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to pray that this person gets what’s coming to them except this word pray means to exchange wishes with God. In other words, switch our wishes for this person with God’s.

When I read these two commands, I have an internal fight. My first response is, I can’t do that. I need to speak well of this person and exchange my attitude about them with God’s? My second thought is, if I do these things, this person and those who hear about it will take advantage of me. Both things may be true, but I’m still told to do them.

Perhaps a better way to approach difficult verses such as this one is to just do them, trusting by faith that God will use them for good in both my life and in the lives of those I have difficulties with. Easier said than done.