Now, if any of you in following Christ should meet with opposition, avenge it in the same way. Love most the man who treats you worst. If any man would kill you in his anger, kill him with your loving prayers. If he smite thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also in submission, and lift both hands and eyes to heaven and cry, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Never let oppressors see your anger rise. They will observe your emotion and your grief, and they will perceive that you are naturally vexed and troubled, but let them also see that you bear them no malice, but desire their welfare. I commend this to those who have a hard fight for Christ in the workroom, in the midst of sneers and jests. Never use the devil’s weapons, though they lie very handy, and look very suitable. Only use Christ’s omnipotent weapon of love, so shall ye be his disciples.”

— Charles Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 24, Sermon 1425

Prayer: Heavenly Father, enemies are all around us scoffing at the mere notion of Christ and his disciples. May we not use the devil’s weapons against them, but by love and prayer and the defending of the faith may we treat them and speak with truth and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.