IT'S NOT WORTH IT :DON'T RENDER EVIL FOR EVIL

Dearly beloved, I welcome you to this awesome month of September. May you experience God in greater dimension this month in Jesus name. This month I will be sharing with you on what I titled, ‘Don’t Render Evil for Evil.’

The Bible says in the book of the 1st Thessalonians 5:15, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” The greek tense in the sentence is not a suggestion but a command. It is absolutely clear that Christians are commanded to abstain from all acts of retaliation. The word ‘none’ is all inclusive, letting us know that this order is categorically directed to every single person. This means that regardless of the circumstance, no one who calls Jesus his Lord should be involved in the practice of rendering evil for evil.

In the book of Matthew 5:43-47, the Bible says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalth love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you maybe the children of your Father which is in heaven: For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more that others? Do not even the publicans so?” When you find a professing Christian who pays evil with evil, you have found a pretender. Real Children of God radiate love, even to their enemies. In fact, Jesus said that is how you would know the difference between a child of God and an unbeliever. Forgive everyone who hurts you, be it your spouse, colleague, boss, pastor or children. Never pay evil with evil, forgive.

God says you should not repay evil with evil because He is concerned about the state of your heart. Matthew 7:17-18 says, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” When you repay evil for evil, you are bearing evil fruits and that means the devil now has a place in you. Since light and darkness cannot co-exist, then it means the Lord has no place in you anymore. May that not be your portion in Jesus name.

How then should a Christian respond to evil? The Bible says in Romans 12:21, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Good is stronger, greater and more powerful than evil. Evil doesn’t have and will never have a lasting dominion over good. It’s like light and darkness, darkness can never, and will never overshadow light. When light shines, darkness disappears. What man have done is to talk too much about darkness instead of turning on the light. The solution to darkness is light/ The solution to hatred is love. The solution to evil is good. The Bible says in Matthew 5:14 that, “Ye are the light of the world...” In the world is darkness and evil but the Bible says you are the light. When the world responds with darkness which is evil, you must respond with light which is good. Rendering evil for evil means making yourself the same with the world. Quash the works of darkness in and around you with your good works. You are the light of the world. The 16th verse of Matthew 5 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” If you must bring out men from darkness to light you must show them good; for the Lord is good. (Psalm 100:5).

Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” The Bible passage quoted above says you should respond to evil showing love. The more love you show the person hurting you , the more trouble you are causing the person if he or she doesn’t change for good. The Bible says you are heaping coals of fire on such a person’s head. On the other hand, God will reward you for showing love.

Not only is our Heavenly Father our example, not paying evil for evil but also Jesus. Jesus is our example for doing good to those who seek to harm us. While on the cross dying for our sins and the sins of those who nailed Him there, he said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...” Luke 23:34. Right at the height of his pain and agony, He prays for His enemies. We must learn to do same. You might say ‘you don’t understand the evil he has done to me.’ Learn to forgive. The evil you said was done to you can never be compared to that which was done to Jesus, yet He forgave. Yet He chose to render good for evil, He chose to render love for hatred. Let Jesus be your example, let Jesus be your role model and the reward of doing His word will be your portion in Jesus name, Amen.

God bless you. See you next month.