Repaying EVIL with GOOD is not a dance—It’s a DISCIPLINE that paints freedom on our soul when we respond with God’s GOODNESS and trust him to do the judging.
“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Deuteronomy 32:35,41
Repaying evil with good is antithetical to the world’s PAYBACK CODE that seeks to avenge evil. But our goal is not to AVENGE evil. Our goal is to OVERCOME evil.
The only way to overcome evil is to smother it in God’s GOODNESS. That leaves evil hanging on its own limb—alone and exposed. However, if we repay evil with evil, we climb onto its poisonous perch.
Repaying evil with good is like every other faith discipline that is difficult for us to grasp. Pulling it off requires that we look to Jesus for the model to emulate (1 Peter 2:23).
Leaving the vengeance to God in this way, and falling at his feet in prayer, gives us the assurance that he will fashion the evil we endure into something good. And, importantly, it will illuminate the dramatic difference between the two choices—Evil or Good.
Here are God’s twin promises for repaying evil with good:
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” Matthew 5:11–12
We will never vanquish evil with evil. That only strengthens its power. But we can steamroll evil by responding to it with God’s love and grace.
We cannot dial evil out of our life. But we can activate God’s shield to keep us from “joining in” with our own brand of toxicity.
Matching evil with evil is not only EASY; it’s our default urge. We need to flip that coin over and repay evil with good, one of the greatest demonstrations of Christ-like strength.
Father God: Remind me continually that I am not the judge. That you are the judge who will do what is right. Help me respond to evil in the opposite way the world responds. Guide my response in a way that reflects you
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you have your response ready for the next time a cannister of evil starts spewing smoke in your life?
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19
