It’s not enough for us to just leave our enemies alone; we need to actively show God’s love toward them. The Bible tells us, ‘If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you’ (vv. 21-22 NKJV). What does it mean to ‘heap coals of fire on his head’? Charles Swindoll explains that in ancient days, people heated their homes and cooked their meals on a small portable stove, a bit like a barbecue grill. A person would often run low on hot coals and they’d need to replenish their supply. The container was usually carried on the head, so as the person passed beneath the first-storey windows of neighbouring houses, thoughtful neighbours  who had extra coals in their possession would reach out of the window and place them in the container on top of their head. Thanks to the thoughtful generosity of a few folks, they would arrive at the site with a pile of burning coals on their head, and a ready-made fire for cooking and keeping warm. So ‘heaping burning coals on someone’s head’ became a popular expression for a spontaneous and courteous act that one person would voluntarily do for another. Luke 6:27-28 says, ‘love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you’ (NCV). So we have a choice. We can experience the short-term satisfaction of retaliating, or we can do what God asks of us and show grace, generosity and kindness to everyone, even those we dislike.

What now?
Who’s treated you badly recently? Make an effort to pray for them today, and ask God to bless them.