{"id":2298322,"date":"2024-07-17T19:30:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-17T23:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/when-our-neighbors-oppose-us-how-should-we-respond\/"},"modified":"2024-07-17T19:33:37","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T23:33:37","slug":"how-should-we-respond-when-our-neighbors-oppose-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-should-we-respond-when-our-neighbors-oppose-us\/","title":{"rendered":"How should we respond when our neighbors oppose us?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhow-should-we-respond-when-our-neighbors-oppose-us%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2298322&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The \u2064<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vivek-ramaswamy-accused-of-flip-flopping-after-he-called-gop-hopefuls-good-people\/\" title=\"Vivek Ramaswamy accused of changing stance, called GOP hopefuls &#039;good people&#039;.\">article \u2062discusses<\/a> \u200cthe importance of \u2063responding with love and prayer\u2062 towards those who \u200bhold different views or ideologies, rather than attacking or insulting them. \u2062It emphasizes the spiritual battle \u200cagainst darkness and encourages staying strong in faith and \u2062prayer. The armor of God, as described in Ephesians \u200d6:13-18, is highlighted as \u2062a source \u200cof \u200cstrength. The article also stresses the\u2062 need to pray \u2064for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-kelly-same-people-criticizing-trump-peddled-russia-collusion-hoax\/\" title=\"Mike Kelly: Same People Criticizing Trump Peddled Russia Collusion Hoax\">political leaders<\/a>\u2062 and evangelize with the hope of\u2063 leading others to Christ. it concludes with a prayer \u200bfor forgiveness and\u2064 a reminder to love\u2062 even the most challenging individuals.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> <script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Do you find yourself resentful towards those who hold different moral, civil, or political views? Does the exaltation of sin within our culture enrage you?<\/p>\n<p>Certainly, we live in a time when people cannot respectfully disagree with one another while remaining cordial. Disagreements in ideology are viewed as necessities for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/just-shooter-wasnt-one-trump-new-potential-threat-reportedly-plans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personal attacks<\/a> and slander.<\/p>\n<p>The temptation is for the Christian to aggressively attack, and even insult our adversaries. It is true that we must not waiver from the truth of the Word of God, and we never cower down through the affirmation of sin. We are called to live radical lives for Jesus, rather than lukewarm lives (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Revelation+3%3A16&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Revelation 3:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>However, as a reminder, our enemies are not men and women, but rather the spiritual forces of darkness.<\/p>\n<p>The Apostle Paul writes, &ldquo;For&nbsp;we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against&nbsp;the rulers, against the authorities, against&nbsp;the cosmic powers over&nbsp;this present darkness, against&nbsp;the spiritual forces of evil&nbsp;in the heavenly places.&rdquo; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ephesians+6%3A12&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ephesians 6:12<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-lincoln-project-is-targeting-high-school-students-again\/\" title=\"The Lincoln Project Is Targeting High School Students Again\">people oppose<\/a> us, how should we respond? We are called to &ldquo;love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you&rdquo; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+5%3A44&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 5:44<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Our motivation in life should not be to shame or defeat our human enemies, but rather to see them <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/outspoken-atheist-goes-viral-publicly-coming-realization-god\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">turn to Christ<\/a> in repentance.<\/p>\n<p>For example, regardless of your political affiliation, you might experience frustration when different politicians are entrusted with power to lead state and\/or federal government. The easy response is to hope for their failure and to speak out against them.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I am not insinuating that we deny our convictions by embracing poor and immoral political policies. Vote according to your convictions, which should be aligned with the Scriptures.<\/p>\n<p>However, we should <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/divine-intervention-trumps-survival-proves-thoughts-prayers-matter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pray<\/a> for our political leaders (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A1-2&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1 Timothy 2:1-2<\/a>). God can use prayers to transform even the hardest of hearts, and God uses prayer to give us a greater love for others. It is hard to hate someone who you are praying for.<\/p>\n<p>Our real adversary is the spiritual forces to whom Paul refers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ephesians+6%3A12&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ephesians 6:12<\/a>. The devil has a goal &ldquo;to steal and kill and destroy&rdquo; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John+10%3A10&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">John 10:10<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The devil and the spiritual forces of wickedness long for you to fail and suffer. Knowing this truth is half of the battle; the other half involves equipping ourselves with the armor of God.<\/p>\n<p>The armor of God includes: the belt of truth &mdash; delighting in the Word of God; the breastplate of righteousness &mdash; the perfect righteousness of Christ covers His children; the feet of readiness for the Gospel of peace &mdash; we are ambassadors of God; the shield of faith &mdash; God gives us faith and we place it in Him; the helmet of salvation &mdash; we are secure in Christ Jesus; the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God &mdash; our offensive weapon against the enemy; and prayer in the Spirit &mdash; remaining in communication with the Lord (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ephesians+6%3A13-18&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ephesians 6:13-18<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Also, as we pray for and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/evangelism-sharing-gospel-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evangelize<\/a> our enemies, remember: &ldquo;the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God&rdquo; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A4&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2 Corinthians 4:4<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Do not give up on others because of their attitudes but love even the most unlovable people &hellip; in hopes that they turn to Christ.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, Lord, help us to be the people who forgive; help us to be more like Your Son.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article appeared originally on Liftable.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<p>   <script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The author discusses the challenges of dealing with those who have different beliefs and the importance of responding with love and prayer rather than aggression. The focus is on recognizing that our true enemies are spiritual forces, not other people. The article emphasizes the need to pray for political leaders and to equip ourselves with the armor of God to combat spiritual attacks. The ultimate goal is to show love and forgiveness to all, in the hope that they may turn to Christ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2298323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pro-Palestinian-protesters-face-off-with-a-group-of-Israel-supporters-and-police-in-a-violent-clash-in-Times-Square-on-May-20-2021.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[35382,7304,35381,15473,35380],"class_list":["post-2298322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-community-relations","tag-compromise","tag-conflict-resolution","tag-cooperation","tag-neighborly-dispute"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pro-Palestinian-protesters-face-off-with-a-group-of-Israel-supporters-and-police-in-a-violent-clash-in-Times-Square-on-May-20-2021.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2298322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2298322"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2298322\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2298323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2298322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2298322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2298322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}