Overcoming Evil with Good

My dear son,

If someone treats you badly, I do not want you to hand your own heart over to that same way of acting. Tell me what was unjust. You need not take my place as judge and carry the burden of revenge yourself.

I want you to live as a child who overcomes evil with good. The call to notice even an enemy's hunger and thirst carries a desire that hatred should never become the master of your life.

Ask for help to protect yourself, and speak truthfully about what happened. As you do, keep room for tenderness within you. Tonight, entrust even the circumstances still unresolved to your Father, and allow your heart some rest.

With all my love,
Your Father

Romans 12:19–21

WEB

19Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A short reflection

Paul urges believers to leave personal vengeance to God's judgment, meet even an enemy's needs with kindness, and overcome evil with good.

World English Bible (WEB) · Public DomainRead the chapter