Proverbs 25:21
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:”
What does Proverbs 25:21 mean?
When someone has hurt us or opposed us, our instinct is usually to protect ourselves or strike back. This proverb invites us into something radically different: responding to an enemy's basic needs with kindness. Feeding a hungry person or giving water to the thirsty isn't about pretending the conflict doesn't exist, but about recognizing their humanity even in the midst of disagreement. This kind of generosity can be surprisingly transformative. When we meet someone's genuine need instead of matching their hostility, it can soften both their heart and our own. It's not weakness or foolishness, but a deeper form of strength that refuses to let conflict turn us into people we don't want to be.