Defying Evil, Doing Good Sýnishorn

Choosing a Good Testimony

Here we see a helpful portrait of an unshaken life. We can have a heart that trusts God’s justice and providence rather than our human instinct to get revenge or enact some nuance of evil. This is in stark contrast to our cultural disposition that glibly declares, “I don’t get mad; I just get even.”

Solomon could have reflected on the legendary accounts of his dad when he wrote, “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy” (Prov. 12:20). And then again, “Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good” (Prov. 14:22).

Maybe even now, you are struggling with the secret stirrings of what God would classify as an evil response toward someone you love—or someone you are trying not to hate. I’ve been there too. Maybe too often. All of us have. Yet here is the advice that we desperately need to embrace:

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:17–21)