Beware of Subtle forms of Revenge

It's easy to be loving and gracious to those who are kind and pleasant.

But the genuineness of our faith is reflected in how we treat people who are disagreeable or inconsiderate. 

Situations with difficult people challenge and refine our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7).  If we refuse to respond biblically, we prove that our faith is weak (Proverbs 24:10).  

Luke 6:32: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them."

Romans 12:17-21 gives us these guidelines:

1. Don’t repay evil with evil (12:17 & 19).

2. Be a godly example to others (12:17).

3. Try our best to get along (12:18).

4. Realize that it’s God's job, not ours, to punish others (12:19).(1)

5. Act in the “opposite spirit”—being kind to the unkind, humble to the proud, gracious to the rude (12:20-21).(2) 

God's commands challenge us to become better in the worst of circumstances.

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(1) This does not mean that parents shouldn't punish children or that courts shouldn't punish offenders. It means that we are not supposed to take personal revenge, doing rude or unkind things to people who've offended us personally.
(2) Pouting, acting cold toward others, or saying rude things are childish tactics that reflect selfishness and immaturity.

Bible Love Notes