Romans 12:19-21
Take the Romans 12 Challenge!
- Memorize the weekly verse(s)
- Pray the prayer every morning/evening
- Print the reminder card, post it somewhere visible, take it with you
- Every time you see the "12" of the Seahawks' 12th man flag, think about applying these thoughts to your life.
- Post a comment to this blog to share how God is transforming you for good!
Think about it
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. There are so many examples of the never-ending, escalating cycle of violence. Payback is not an option for the Christ-follower.
Pray about it
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| copy & print for reminder card - black & white |
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| copy & print for reminder card - color |
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. There are so many examples of the never-ending, escalating cycle of violence. Payback is not an option for the Christ-follower.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for
God’s wrath. In Greek, it’s literally
“do not avenge yourselves.” Trusting in,
even praying for, God’s wrathful judgment on evildoers is the preferred
path. God uses human agents in his work
of wrathful judgment of evil (read forward in Romans 13:4), but this is in a
different category than personal retribution which is more like “taking justice
into our own hands.” There are cases
when Christians are called to join God’s effort of stopping evildoers (think of
anti-human trafficking or Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the plot to assassinate Adolf
Hitler), but the motivation behind these efforts is far more noble (saving the
many lives of others) than personal retribution.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good. The final phrase of the chapter
summarizes Paul’s teaching. Evil will overcome us if we become perpetrators,
even in retaliation for insults and injuries suffered. Overcoming evil with good is God’s way, so
very different from the pattern of this world.
God, you are the ultimate judge of human behavior; I’m not. When others mistreat me and I’m tempted to take revenge, keep me from planning payback. Help me to trust your rightful judgment of wrongdoers. Amen.
Apply it
Let’s keep it simple. When someone offends or injures you, choose not to respond in kind. Recognize when you’re tempted to say or do something to hurt them in return. Hold tightly to the good, respond with words, set healthy boundaries, pray about it to the ultimate authority (God), even call in human authorities to intervene (parents, teachers, police). But loosen your grip on your thoughts of payback.
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