Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

DON'T HIT BACK

This entry was posted on 02-22-2008 and is filed under uncategorized.

"Don't hit back" (Romans 12:17-a, The Message).

I have violated this passage of Scripture several times in my life. Physically, that is. Each time (three, as I recall) it was after school (wisely, not on school grounds) with a fellow classmate. I don't remember who hit first. I only remember that I did what this verse says not to do: hit back. I'm not proud of what I did, even if I "won" the fight. (Actually, both parties who engage in hitting back are losers.)

Hitting back is so childish, so selfish, so stupid. We have all hit back, no doubt, as children, against our brother or sister. What is really bad is when we hit back against a brother or sister in Christ. No, not with fists, but with words or deeds. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil" is how the NIV reads. "Never return injury for injury" (TCNT). Maybe someone has said something evil and untrue about you. Maybe someone has injured you with a lie or falsehood. Now what?

I think (as always) we have to look to Jesus. What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do? "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Pet 2:23 NIV). Payback time is reserved for God on Judgment Day. You are a follower of Christ. Don't hit back.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill us with the gentleness and goodness of Your Only Begotten Son, that we might reflect His character to all whom we encounter, especially when that encounter is unpleasant.