Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:17-21 NLT
…No one seeks for God, All have turned aside, they have become worthless, no one does good, not even one. Romans 3:11-12 ESV
We need to be part of the solution, not the problem
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Romans 12:17 NLT
Never pay back evil for evil
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NLT
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 NLT
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. Romans 12:19 NLT
It’s not up to you to avenge
For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 NLT
Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. Romans 12:20 NLT
You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
If you want to get back at them, love them!
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” Luke 10:25-28 NLT
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 NIV
In doing this, by caring for them and loving them, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Romans 12:20 NLT
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21 NLT
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Find a place where you are free from distractions. As you settle in, open your heart to God and ask him if there’s anything he wants to show you. Begin with this statement, “Lord I am here to hear from you, would you speak to me now as I pray.” Next, think about the message. Can you think of a time where you wanted to take matters into your own hands and repay an evil or injustice? Ask God to bring something to your memory. Now talk with God about that situation. Ask him some questions like, “What tempted me to take matters into my own hands? What was the outcome? What did I experience as a result of my decision? How did the situation become more complicated? Who was hurt by it? Where did I potentially lack self control in that situation? Where was God’s love seen or not seen as a result of my actions?” Anytime we do the opposite of how God instructs us, there isn’t going to be a favorable outcome. Ask God to help you to work on saying no to your temptations in those heated moments and yes to his leading. Start your day with asking God for self control, to say no to reacting and yes to his leading. Close this time by asking God to make you more like Jesus in this way, to empower you to follow his example.
Discussion Questions
- What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
- Read Romans 12:17. When was the last time you can remember paying back evil for evil and what happened as a result?
- Continue reading Romans 12:18. Even though peace with others isn’t 100% up to us, what are some of the practical things you do that help you live at peace with those around you?
- Continue reading Romans 12:19. While all of us might say we trust God, why do you think some people find it difficult to trust God with this promise and instead, attempt to take revenge into their own hands?
- Continue reading Romans 12:20. When you think about your enemies (people you want to take revenge on or pay back), who comes to mind and what is one thing you can do this week to authentically bless them?
- Continue reading Romans 12:21. As you talked through the questions this week, what evil, sin or struggle did you find within yourself that you need to stop doing and what can we do to help?
