Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
In a recent conversation with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, our conversation flowed from one topic to another. One topic we touched on was the evil resulting from some people's actions and words.
Sometimes, these are deliberate, planned evils to bring about intended harm, but the unplanned, spur-of-the-moment rash responses are more frequent. The results are the same. Whether done knowingly or unthinkingly, damage is done to someone else, and we have sinned.
The author of 1 Peter, while writing a letter intended for a wide audience, acknowledged this human flaw—the base urge to retaliate and seek vindication—and offered the prescription: "Don’t do it!” In keeping with Jesus' message in Matthew 5:39, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
When we act righteously, rising above our base instinct, we neither sin nor harm anyone. Another result is that the perpetrator of the evil is struck by surprise in the response. As Paul quotes from Proverbs in Romans 12:20, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
There is yet another, more primary, reason for responding with a blessing instead of evil–it is the right thing to do. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12). As believers seeking to become increasingly more Christ-like, we consistently strive to move onward from our base (natural) humanity to this restored vision of who we are meant to be through Jesus Christ.
Our gracious Heavenly God the Father, who created us in his image, who through God the Son has redeemed us, has provided God the Holy Spirit to strengthen us so we can overcome what we by ourselves cannot do.
While our natural selves may yearn to retaliate with evil for evil, by the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to respond to evil with blessing.
Gracious Father, we seek Your guidance and strength. Help us repay evil with blessings and follow Jesus' example of grace and love. Empower us through Your Holy Spirit to overcome our natural instincts and respond kindly. Strengthen our faith and help us trust in Your perfect plan. May our actions reflect Your goodness and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
