OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
If it is possible on your part, live at peaceG1514 with everyone.
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath.
For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21
If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.
Romans 12:18 (CJB)
A slightly different Greek word for peace is used here, so we looked it up in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:
G1514 eirēneúō (2) to cultivate or keep peace, i.e. harmony; to be at peace, live in peace. (63)
Swindoll’s Living Insights Commentary explains what Paul means by “live at peace:”
Insofar as it depends upon us, we are to live at peace with everyone (12:18). How? Paul suggested two responses, one passive and one active. First, when an enemy deliberately causes harm, we are to let it go unanswered . . . Here, Paul was referring to the deeds of an enemy—presumably someone outside the body of Christ, though not necessarily!—by which he or she clearly intends to harm another. Confrontation would be pointless. Paul’s advice: Let it go . . . Paul’s second suggested response is more active: Extend him or her the same hospitality you would a friendly stranger (12:20; quoting Prov. 25:21–22) . . . (64)
We live in a day of “road rage” and “going postal”. A common attitude is, “I don’t get mad; I get even!” However, we have already learned from Romans 12:2 that we are not to be like the world around us. According to the verses above, we should not try to even the score when we are wronged. We should remember the often quoted, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” and continue to treat people the way we would have them treat us (Matthew 7:12). We are to make every effort to get along with others, even those who are difficult. We must trust God to deal with the evil around us and to administer discipline where it is needed. In fact, we are to extend hospitality even to our enemies, people we feel will never be our friends. We do good to extend the hospitality of food and drink to our friends when they are in need, but the Word says to do this for our enemies. Both here in Romans 12 and in Proverbs 25:21-22 we are told that being hospitable to our enemy will “heap burning coals on his head.” We’re not sure what all that entails, but we are sure it will help him or her to think about the way they’ve acted. The Proverbs passage goes on to say that “the Lord will reward you” for this kindness.
We conquer evil by continuing to do good. We subdue wrath with a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1). We prevail over our enemies with love and prayer (Matthew 5:43-44). We are victorious and are recognized as God’s children when we strive to be peacemakers (Matthew 6:9). If we follow the scriptural prescription for dealing with those who would slander, malign, and intentionally try to harm us—evil doers or enemies, we will avoid the bitterness that comes with seeking retaliation. When we “let it go” unanswered or even do good to those who were determined to hurt us, it leaves room for God to convict them and maybe even extend grace to them and bring them into the “familyship.” Our kindness may even lead them to repentance, not necessarily for the specific wrong done to us, but for their attitude. We need to save judgement for God but realize His discipline is used redemptively for their salvation. Only He knows what He is ultimately working in a person’s life, and we dare not let our own anger get in His way.
Father, help us to stop and pray when we feel anger welling up inside us. Help us to trust You rather than to retaliate on our own when someone hurts us. Give us the strength to show kindness to those who would never show kindness to us. Help us to truly understand how to overcome evil with good.
Be not overcome by evil
but overcome evil with good.
No matter how bad someone hurts you,
Continue to act as you should.