“But to You Who Are Listening” – Meaning and Context
The phrase “But to you who are listening” is found in Luke 6:27 (NIV), where Jesus begins one of His most radical teachings:
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
This phrase introduces a call to deeper spiritual understanding and obedience. Let’s break it down:
1. “To You Who Are Listening” – A Call to Pay Attention
- Jesus is speaking to those who are willing to hear and apply His teachings.
- Not everyone truly listens—some hear with their ears but do not take His words to heart.
- It’s a challenge: Are you really paying attention to what I am about to say?
📖 Matthew 13:9 – “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
🔹 This phrase is often used by Jesus when He teaches something difficult or countercultural.
2. What Was Jesus About to Teach? (Luke 6:27-36)
After saying “to you who are listening”, Jesus commands:
- Love your enemies.
- Do good to those who hate you.
- Bless those who curse you.
- Pray for those who mistreat you.
This goes against human nature, so Jesus emphasizes that only those truly listening—those open to God’s ways—will understand and follow.
3. Why Is This Important?
- Jesus is calling for a higher standard of love and forgiveness, not just loving friends but also enemies.
- True disciples of Jesus must go beyond the world’s way of thinking.
- Only those with open hearts and faith in God will be able to listen and obey.
4. How Does This Apply to Us Today?
- Jesus still calls us to listen actively—not just hearing, but obeying.
- Loving our enemies is still one of the hardest commands to follow.
- When we listen to God’s Word with an open heart, we allow it to transform us.
📖 James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Final Thoughts
✔ “To you who are listening” = A challenge to hear and obey.
✔ Jesus’ teaching about loving enemies is meant for those truly seeking God.
✔ It’s not just about hearing but about acting on His words.
How Do You Love Your Enemies?
Loving our enemies is one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings, found in Luke 6:27-28 and Matthew 5:43-44:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28, ESV)
This command goes against human nature, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard of love. Here’s how to apply it:
1. Forgive Them from Your Heart
- Forgiveness is the first step in loving your enemies.
- Jesus forgave even while suffering on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
- Let go of bitterness and ask God to help you forgive.
2. Pray for Them
- Instead of seeking revenge, pray for their well-being.
- Matthew 5:44 – “Pray for those who persecute you.”
- Ask God to change their hearts and yours.
3. Do Good to Them
- Luke 6:35 – “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
- This means actively showing kindness, even when it’s undeserved.
- A small act of kindness can soften hearts and reflect God’s love.
4. Speak Blessings, Not Curses
- When someone insults or mistreats you, respond with grace, not revenge.
- Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
- Your words have power—use them to bring peace instead of stirring up conflict.
5. Treat Them as You Want to Be Treated
- The Golden Rule (Luke 6:31) – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
- Even if your enemy wouldn’t do the same for you, love them anyway.
- This is how we reflect God’s unconditional love.
6. Overcome Evil with Good
- Romans 12:20-21 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
- Responding with love instead of hate breaks the cycle of evil.
7. Rely on God’s Strength
- Loving enemies is impossible in our own strength—we need God’s help.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your heart so you can love like Jesus.
- Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Final Thoughts
✔ Forgive them – Let go of anger.
✔ Pray for them – Ask God to bless them.
✔ Do good – Show kindness in action.
✔ Speak life – Use your words to uplift, not curse.
✔ Treat them as you’d want to be treated.
✔ Overcome evil with good.
✔ Depend on God’s strength to love as Jesus loves.
Loving your enemies does not mean approving of their actions, but it means choosing God’s way over hatred. It is the most powerful witness of Christ’s love.