Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

One of the things that differentiates Christians from the world, is how we respond to adversity. Jesus warned us as the Church, the world will hate you, because it hated Him (Christ) first (John 15:18) So as the Apostle Paul is teaching us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, don’t repay evil with evil! Jesus gave a deeper teaching on this “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39) So do you still think its easy to be a Christian? When someone does evil to you, we don’t respond with evil to them, why? Because “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” says The Lord!

Even though we live in a fallen world, we are to be the Light of the World, the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5) The Church is not to live like the world, don’t be conformed to the ways of the world, be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) If it is possible, live in peace with everyone! (v18) Now notice it says, if its possible, often times peace is hard to find, as The Lord warned us “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer (take heart, have peace) I (Christ) have overcome the world! (John 16:33) In the world you will have tribulation and war, but in Jesus you will have the peace which surpasses all human understanding!  (Philippians 4:7)

“Do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath”  (v19) Our human instinct is to fight fire with fire, however as Jesus warned “those who live by the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52) If you live by violence you will die by violence, what you reap is what you sow (Galatians 6:7) You need to take a step back and let God fight your battles for you, this seems unnatural to the flesh, this is where your faith is tested as God said “Vengence is Mine, I will repay” says The Lord (v19)  The Lord will fight for You, you just need to hold your peace or be still (Exodus 14:14) A concept most of us can’t comprehend, vengeance is Gods!

How do you fight your battles then? You fight evil with good, “Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” (v20) That neighbor you have been fighting with, give them a gift with no explanation. That co-worker you have been at odds with, buy them lunch with no notice. Evil doesn’t know how to respond to good, its like heaping coals of fire on their heads. Let everyone see Christ living inside of you, don’t be like the world, overcome evil with good! (v21) Amen!