Although Christians are to try to live peaceably with everyone (Romans 12:18), their identification with Jesus Christ means that some will oppose them. Therefore, they will have enemies. The enemies of Christians become the enemies of God, and the enemies of God become the enemies of Christians (Exodus 23:22; Psalms 37:20; Psalms 55:2-3; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 10:36). In spite of this, Christians are to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27; Romans 12:20; see HATRED).
The Bible speaks of enemies other than one’s fellow human beings; for example, Satan, death and evil spiritual forces. But Christ has conquered all these through his death and resurrection, and in the day of his final victory he will destroy them for ever (Matthew 13:39; Luke 10:18; 1 Corinthians 15:25-28; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 10:12-13).