Bless Your Enemies - Joel Osteen

About this sermon

Are you holding a grudge against someone who treated you unfairly? Learn how letting go unlocks your divine promotion. It is easy to show kindness to those who are good to us, but the true test of your character is how you treat people who have done you wrong. In this powerful message, Joel Osteen from Lakewood Church shares why blessing your enemies is not for their sake, but for yours. Discover how holding onto bitterness limits your potential, and learn how to release the hurt so God can step in as your ultimate vindicator. Joel teases life-changing lessons from the life of Joseph at 10:41 and David at 16:58 that show how letting go of revenge prepares you for greatness. For more inspiration, watch Trusting God's Timing and The Power of I Am to keep building your faith. "Your job is not to pay people back. Your job is to bless your enemies. You be the blesser and God will take care of your enemies." If you are struggling with a coworker who excluded you, a friend who betrayed your trust, or a relative who was dishonest, this video is for you. Living with anger and resentment only poisons your own peace and keeps you stuck in past seasons of pain. By learning to release the debt and show mercy, you free yourself to step into the higher level of favor God has waiting. Q: How do I handle coworkers or friends who deliberately try to make me look bad? A: Zip up the temptation to retaliate or tarnish their reputation, cover them with silence, and let God fight your battles while showing you are ready for promotion. Q: What does the Bible mean by heaping coals of fire on your enemy's head? A: It means responding to hostility with unexpected kindness and respect, which is a far more powerful and convicting force than any attempt to pay them back directly. Q: Why does God test our character by bringing those who hurt us back into our lives? A: God uses those encounters to see if we have matured past resentment and can handle greater spiritual authority and influence without using it to settle personal scores. Q: How can I forgive someone when the damage they caused feels completely unfair and deep? A: Remember that forgiveness is not excusing their behavior, but choosing to let it go so that the Creator of the universe can turn the situation to your advantage. Q: What should I do if someone owes me an apology or restitution they cannot give? A: Put their debt on God's account, trust His promise to pay you back, and let Him restore what people took from you in ways you never expected. 1. Proverbs 25:21 - Give your hungry enemy food to eat. 2. Genesis 45:4 - Joseph forgives his brothers after betrayal. 3. 1 Samuel 24:6 - David refuses to harm King Saul. 4. Philemon 1:18 - Charge any wrong to my account. 00:00 How to respond when people treat you unfairly 01:38 Why Jesus commanded us to bless our enemies 03:36 The workplace test of inviting those who exclude you 05:45 Choosing to be the bigger person under criticism 07:12 What heaping coals of fire actually means 09:10 How Joseph handled his brothers who betrayed him 12:34 Why you are not the judge or the jury 15:44 Why David blessed the family of King Saul 18:50 Overcoming extreme tragedy with radical biblical forgiveness 21:10 The story of Onesimus and releasing relational debts 24:53 Passing the ultimate test to step into promotion If you are in need of prayer today, our ministry team would love to stand in faith with you. Reach out to us here: https://joelosteen.com/prayer Subscribe to receive weekly messages of hope, encouragement, and inspiration from Joel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxWyn4rfcI2H9APhfUIB1Q?sub_confirmation=1 Follow #JoelOsteen on social X: https://twitter.com/joelosteen Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelosteen Facebook: https://facebook.com/joelosteen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joelosteen Thank you for your generosity! To give, visit https://joelosteen.com/give #JoelOsteen #BlessYourEnemies #Forgiveness #LakewoodChurch #Faith

Topics

• Love & Compassion
• Blessing & Favor