Don’t Pay Back Evil for Evil
Friday, February 7
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)
Of all the admonitions in this section of Paul’s letter, the one that we may find the toughest to obey is found in verse 15: “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” Interestingly, Paul directs this admonition to the entire congregation. Considering the context in which Paul makes this statement, it is not difficult to see why he had the entire church in mind.
One of the most difficult aspects of church life is learning how to get along with one another. While we may rightly expect that all Christians will love one another, this is sadly not always the case. Unfortunately, people within the church are capable of inflicting great hurt on other Christians. Everyone faces the very real possibility of being hurt by a fellow church member. The lazy may enjoy their laziness, the discouraged may find comfort in their discouragement, and the weak may have no desire to grow strong. Despite our best intentions to help, some simply do not want our help and may even resent us for getting into their business. Sometimes this resentment is expressed through anger, slander, gossip, or even false accusations. How then are we to respond when we become the object of another person’s resentment or anger?
Here is where Paul’s command enters the picture. We must pursue only what is good for everyone. Period. He says nothing about this pursuit being dependent on whether or not we think someone deserves your kindness. We must resist the urge to fight fire with fire by repaying evil with evil. We cannot control how others treat us, but we can control how we respond to them. We must do our part and then trust God to do His part. As Paul told the Romans, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. . . . Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:14,17-19 HSCB).
Doing the Word
Don’t pay evil for evil.
Prayer
Dear Father, help me to follow the instructions and commands in Your Book. Help me not to pay evil for evil to those in the Church and those in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.