If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
-Romans 12:18-21 (KJV)
In our world, it seems retaliation and revenge are the way of life. You wronged me, so I'm going to wrong you as well. But, Paul gives us a different picture of the way things should be. He writes, in Romans 12:18, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." We must live at peace with others. In other words, revenge or retaliation should never be started with you. He says, in verse 19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengence is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." If a non believer does something evil to you, Paul says to "give place unto wrath" God will deal with it. Our duty is to live peaceably, to live at peace with others.
Verse 21 says, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Don't allow evil to control your life. It's your duty to live peaceably, that is the way to overcome evil. Is evilness controlling your life? Think About It.
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