“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.” Romans 12:17, NLT

We have heard it said, by the world, “stand up for yourself, hit back and hard, so they won’t bother you again!” Or “take what is yours and more”, “you deserve it for what you do”. 

But Jesus says, “don’t resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too.”

We just went over this a few days ago, now it is mentioned a second time in this Romans 12 passage. So, it must be important…and difficult for us. Why, yes, it is! Our first, inborn, human reactions are to fight or flight, to hit back or back off and run! It depends on the situation, but I think most of us want to fight back. However, Jesus says, no. Turn the other cheek, give them what they want. 

Above all, seek Jesus and His Kingdom. Will all be well? Maybe not immediately. But we will have peace in our restraint. And God will take care of the avenger…as we pray for them! (Romans 12:14)

This is higher ground thinking and acting. This is Jesus in us, making peace, so that others may know HIM. This Higher Ground thinking and acting is also called integrity. Have the integrity to do what is right, even in the worse circumstances, giving, not taking, even when nobody else does, and even when no one is looking. 

“NEVER pay back evil for evil”. What good is that? What does that really prove to “pay back” anyway? That only escalates the problem. Do we want to be like the evil doer? Or like Jesus? I choose Christ.

This is what we need to think about when the urge to get even comes to the forefront of our mind. Go higher. Think more like Jesus, so we will act more like Jesus. THINK! Before we speak or act.

Dear Heavenly Father, You have given this lesson to us twice in one week, so this must be important for us and a hard lesson to act upon. By Your Power, help us to higher ground thinking and acting for without you we fail. In Jesus Name, Amen