This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Tough Love: Love Your Enemies (LISTEN HERE)
When someone hurts you, would you not agree it is very difficult to not think of something bad to happen to them by you or someone else?
Our natural inclination is to see evil repaid with evil. From early on we see our sinful nature rear its ugly head when another child takes our toy, we take one of theirs. As we get older, we like to say mean things about someone who said mean things about us. As adults we continue but maybe take to social media to let the virtual world know how bad someone is who didn’t serve us well at a restaurant.
To be sure the impact of evil is great. Some of you reading may have had very heinous things happen like rape, ugly divorce, emotional abuse and more. The thought of the person who did these things is anything but “love.” While you may not have the inclination to incite evil on them, you would be ok if they succumb to evil worse than they did.
It’s natural to want evil to be repaid with evil. It’s what our sinful nature defaults to.
But the Word of God teaches differently.
Like a game of tag being played by kids with the rule “no tag-backs,” so is the direction God gives to us. The Apostle Paul puts it clearly in Romans 12:
Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“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.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Evil is real. Evil is ugly. Evil is wrong. Paul does not minimize the evil, but directs our response to it.
Do what is right.
Do everything you can to make peace.
Do not take revenge.
Respond to evil with good.
Ugg. My sinful nature didn’t want to hear that. But consider what happens when we perpetuate evil by doing evil or break the cycle by showing love.
We do what is right.
We work toward peace rather than greater conflict.
We contrast the ugliness of evil with the beauty of God’s love.
And…
We leave room for God’s wrath.
Showing love to our enemies may win them over from their evil. But if it doesn’t, we know also that God is a God of perfect justice. We can simply allow God to deal with the evil that happens. We don’t have to “tag back.” We don’t have to get even. We don’t even have to figure out what is fair. God will.
If there is justice to be carried out, God will sort it out. It’s his promise to you when we have been a victim of evil.
As tough as it is, we can respond to evil with good and understand that if there is a score to be settled, God will do it in time or at the last day. Trust him. He is the God of love who empowers you to love your enemies AND he is the God of justice that will carry out justice on the evildoer. We win both ways.
Apply: What hurt are you carrying and still actively or subconsciously thinking of taking revenge? Take time today to release that desire to the Lord and trust his justice to take care of it.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love which covers evil with your forgiveness and the blood of Jesus. Thank you for your justice that will deal with any evil perfectly so I don’t have to worry about it or seek a way to avenge it. I know you will do exactly what is fair and just. AMEN.