Back to Messages

How to Lose an Enemy in 10 Days

Jesus tells his followers to do many hard things. But the hardest one of all might be when he commands us to “love our enemies” (Matthew 5:44). This is a counterintuitive instruction, and an ideal that seems nearly impossible. Yet this is not some pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking from Jesus. In fact, when Christians take the small, but important, steps to treat our enemies differently—we don’t just win the battles, but we actually lose the enemies!

The Height of Fairness

Oct 20, 2024


When it comes to what’s right, we often think that the end justifies the means. After all, as long as the “right side” wins, or we prevail in the argument, it shouldn’t matter how we got there. Since we’re fighting for Jesus, it’s okay if we use slander, dirty tricks, and loopholes! Or is it?

The Danger of Blindspots

Oct 13, 2024


It often seems like there is a sharp dividing line between the righteous and the unrighteous. People on the other side of an issue from us can seem shockingly immoral. How can we engage in loving discussion or collaboration with people who hold such opposing values, without watering down what we believe is true and right?

The Opposite of Retreat

Oct 6, 2024


We all naturally have a bonding identity, meaning we group with people most similar to us. However, by retreating into this form of identity, we tend to increase our resentment and hostility, and we become less capable of weathering adverse conditions. How can we find a more robust form of identity for ourselves?

The Curse of Contempt

Sep 29, 2024


As the movie Inside Out shows us, Disgust and Anger are both primal feelings. But when they are joined together, it creates contempt. Contempt feels really good—it reinforces our basic need to feel righteous. In fact, we’ll naturally seek out circumstances and people that outrage us, just for the pleasure of feeling contempt. But is that actually a healthy way to live?