“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12, ESV)
Keep your conduct honorable. Do the right thing! Return evil with good. I know you want to hit back. But our calling is to resist that urge for a greater good.
Our human nature we want to get back at others. When they hurt us, we want to hurt back. If they take advantage of us, we want to take advantage of them. It’s an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But Jesus turns the tables on this Old Testament axiom. Jesus tells us:
“But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:39–41, ESV)
How do we respond in such a way? It starts with a fear of the Lord. Recognize that nothing goes unnoticed by the Lord. The day of God’s “visitation” is coming. There is no word or action that will not be put to the test. Trust that God will make all things equal.
Also, recognize that hitting back will never win anyone over. It will only make them more intent on their course of action. The tension will escalate. The challenge is for you to be the bigger person. The bigger person is not the one who can escalate the conflict, but the one who says that tit for tat is not worth it. The bigger person is the one who resists the urge to “get back.”
Maybe the best thing you can do is pray for those who would do you harm and persecute you. When you pray for someone, it is hard to be angry towards them. God will often take our anger in prayer and turn it into compassion. It is hurting people who hurt others. The person who hurts you does not need more hurt in their life. They need the love of God. They need you to respond in the way Jesus would respond. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Reflection
- When was a time you were mistreated?
- How do you find the courage to respond to evil with kindness?
Prayer
Lord, I am easily wounded by others. My human desire is to hit back and seek revenge. But you have called me to love those who would persecute me. You gave me a precedent to forgive those who would do me harm. Give me the strength to follow that example and to be the bigger person. Help me to trust that you will make all things right. Amen.
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