Repay Evil

God, through Peter, tells us to repay evil. Yes, you read that correctly; God tells us to repay evil. But it's not what you may be thinking. Billions of dollars a year are spent by movie goers enjoying stories of revenge. God's call on us, however, is not one of those stories.

God, as we see in 1 Peter 3:9, tells us to repay. To repay with Blessing.

Repaying evil for evil is easy.

• Hit back.
• Return the insult.
• Refuse to forgive.
• Get "even."

Repaying evil with blessing requires more effort.

• Turn the other cheek.
• Speak kindly.
• Forgive.
• Don't keep score.

Repaying evil with evil is accomplished easily with human effort alone. One need only respond by reacting. Little thought is expended. Repaying evil with blessing is accomplished with human effort that relies on divine guidance. One who seeks to live the words of 1 Peter 3:9 needs to call on God for help to do so. We must respond as guided. In order to do so, guidance should be sought. Here are some actions you can take to receive such guidance.

1. Pray.
2. Read Scripture.
3. "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." (James 1:19)
4. Extend grace.
5. Remember what Christ did for you.

1 Peter 3:17-18 (NIV)
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Repaying evil with blessing requires more effort than repaying evil with evil. It's worth the effort!

#ordinarylives