Overcoming Evil

Tonight is our final talk for our sermon series, the christian lifestyle. Throughout this series we have discussed many practical topics like hospitality, emotional care, and honoring one another.

Our last focus is one that you will face regularly if you seek to follow Jesus:

How should we respond when we are mistreated?

Bless those who mistreat you.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

This goes against every natural instinct we have. When someone hurts us, we naturally want to hurt them back. If we follow this instruction, won’t it make us weak?

Jesus taught that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness sake. Those last three words are the key to understanding this principle, “for righteousness sake.” We are blessed when we are mistreated because of our love and alignment with Jesus. We are not blessed when were outcast for being jerks or for having a weird haircut.

This instruction is given to Christians. When you are wronged, it gives you an opportunity to do what Jesus did for you: forgive. Love your enemies. Rather than this making you weak, blessing those who curse you reveals your spiritual strength.

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

When Christians are mistreated for saying that Jesus is the only way or for shinning light in the darkness, the world will be watching. That is why we need to give thought to respond in a way that keeps our testimony in tact.

How I responded to the man who yelled at me and Jordyn.... Then I saw him in church.

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, your friends are watching to see how you respond to rude comments and exclusion. There is a cost when you are wronged. It will cost you friends, social status, and emotional security. You will be tempted to make others pay. In that moment, remember the gospel: that Jesus paid for your sins against him.

Be a peacemaker.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

It will be impossible to have peace with some people. No matter how much grace and mercy you give, they will mistreat you. When this is the case, seek space from these people. You can forgive them in your heart and while keeping them out of your home.

Notice that it says, so far as it depends on you. To have peace, it takes two. Make sure that on your end, you are being peaceful. And when we say peaceful, I do not mean passive.

The difference between a peace maker, peace taker, and peace faker.

Be a peacemaker.

Remember God’s justice.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

"More likely, then, “fiery coals” envision a positive effect: shaming the enemy into repentance. The burning coals may refer to an Egyptian ritual during which one demonstrated genuine repentance by carrying hot coals in some container. Paul urged Christians to do good to enemies so they would see their sins and repent. Obviously, repentance will not always follow, but this is the Christian response to injury" William W. Klein, “Romans,” in CSB Apologetics Study Bible, ed. Ted Cabal (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1415.

Think about the alternative, the natural way to respond to injustice is to seek revenge. But this will only enrage your enemy further. It doesn’t solve the problem and keeps you in the bondage of hate. This is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

If we believe that God is just, we can be comforted that he will provide justice. And as we remember God’s justice in the gospel, our hearts are softened by grace.

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Tell the gospel.