Scripture

Proverbs 24:28-29 (NLT)

Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”

Consider

Thirst for revenge is a natural instinct. Everyone knows that nasty little spirit who whispers, “You don’t have to take that insult lying down—get even!” Consequently, there is no stronger witness for our faith than responding well to a personal injury or offense.

Life repeatedly presents us with opportunities to choose God’s way or the way of the world. We can demand an eye for an eye, Jesus says, or we can choose to treat our neighbors with the same generosity and forgiveness that we would hope to receive from them. Peter further contrasts God’s way to the world’s way of revenge:

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it (1 Peter 3:9).

Revenge may seem a sweet solution, but it rapidly turns to poison. The world’s way of “getting even” means conforming our minds and behaviors to the level of hurt and meanness that we have received. Even subtle forms of payback, such as passive-aggressive behaviors or withdrawal of simple courtesies, lower us into the mud and weaken our faith walk with God. We lose our sense of holiness—our identity of being set apart for God—as we become indistinguishable from the unbelieving world.

In contrast, God’s way of “getting even” is to align our minds and behaviors as evenly as possible with those of Christ Jesus. The Spirit resets our priorities to match God’s desire for the situation. Instead of lowering ourselves into the mud, we “set our hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:2). Consequently, we can offer prayer instead of payback and kindness instead of criticism. As the rich recipients of God’s blessing and forgiveness, we can offer the same to those who have hurt and insulted us.

Pray

FATHER, I admit I am quick to judge and condemn those who offend me. Even worse, I have lashed out in my anger and tried to hurt back in the same ways that I have been hurt. Forgive me for missing so many opportunities to respond with kindness and forgiveness to the world’s cruelty and thereby be your witness for good. Thank you for your mercy and for your patient instruction in better ways to handle relationship difficulties.

Reflect

Luke 6:27-31; Romans 8:5; 12:2, 19-21

Ponder

How might God bless you when you choose to bless your offender?