Romans 12:17-21
Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. But: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Our pride loves having revenge on others and paying back evil for evil. But what a downhill spiral! Where does it all end? Anger, hate, and rage fuel the situation, and when these come together, it snowballs, with everyone bitter towards each other. Life can become ugly with all its accusations.
You tell us to maintain peace with everyone as far as it depends on us. We are to humble ourselves, overcome our pride, and not get even when someone does or says something hurtful to us. We can’t control what others say or do, but we can keep the peace ourselves when there is a challenge; however, all this is much easier said than done. So, we pray that You will change our hearts to seek peaceful solutions, remembering that, in the end, those who reject You and Your love will ultimately face Your vengeance. Guide us by faith to be kind and love those who wish to be our enemies.
We ask that you forgive us when we fail at this when our pride gets in the way. Please strengthen our faith so that we will have changed hearts to love others, including those who wish to attack and discredit us. Let us always remember your Son’s reaction at the hands of His enemies; from the cross, He did not ask for vengeance but forgiveness for all of us who put Him there.
Give us the strength to follow Your Word and love our enemies so that, through our actions, they might ask for forgiveness and never face Your vengeance. Instead, let them know and trust in Your Son, who died for them, so that by faith in Jesus, they can overcome their pride. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Selfish desire and pride cause all human conflicts; they produce the seeds of hate. Faith in Jesus is the redirection that course corrects towards love and humility; faith in Him is where change begins. Throughout His word, He tells us to love just as He loved you.