How Do You Respond When You're Mistreated?
Thinking about Romans 12:17-21.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
It was common in Roman society to try to “get even” with someone who had done you wrong.
Roman class distinction bred strife, jealously, and desire for revenge between and within different classes. Frequently, private conflicts escalated into heated litigation that resulted in bitter court scenes. Often the stated offense was an excuse for legal action, but the real motive was the public humiliation of one’s opponents…Roman law provided a legal means to be vindictive and to dole out revenge. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 447
That doesn’t sound too different from our world today, does it?
Knowing that some Christians in Rome were enduring mistreatment, Paul knew the temptation would be to respond like everyone else in Rome responded - to seek revenge.
What Paul wrote in Romans 12:17-21 is a counter-cultural response - he calls upon Christians to be different than the world, even when we are mistreated (Romans 12:1-2).
Carefully Consider How You Treat Others.
Rather than repaying someone evil for evil, Paul urged Christians to “give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (ESV).
Christians must carefully consider how we should treat others (Matthew 7:12), even when we are mistreated.
Christians are to be right in the sight of God (Romans 12:2), but they are to give some forethought to how men will view their conduct so that they may avoid justifiable suspicion and criticism. - Reese, Romans, 601
We are commanded to think before we act or speak. How will a certain course of action reflect on Christ and His church? We are called to be living sacrifices to God - even when we are mistreated.
Do Everything You Can to Be at Peace with Everyone.
So far as peace depends upon us, we are to do everything within our power to live in peace with everyone (Mark 9:50; Hebrews 12:14).
Everyone can tell by a person’s actions whether or not he is a peacemaker. However, the burden is on Christians to go the extra mile and try to live peacefully, whether or not others share that desire. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 447
We cannot turn from the truth of God’s word for the sake of peace (1 Corinthians 1:10). However, we must be willing to lay aside our own personal rights and opinions for the sake of peace rather than “stir up trouble” (Whiteside, Romans, 255).
Do Good Rather Than Seek Revenge.
Rather than seek revenge by taking the law into our own hands, Paul urges Christians to allow God’s justice to right wrongs (Deuteronomy 32:35). What he says is very similar to Proverbs 20:22 and also reminds us of what Peter wrote about Jesus.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:21-23)
Rather than seek revenge, Christians are commanded to do good to those who have wronged them (Proverbs 25:21). The reference to “burning coals” on the heads of the Christian’s enemies is likely a reference to their enemies feeling shame and perhaps being moved to repentance through the kind treatment they received from the hands of the person they mistreated.
How we respond when we are persecuted and mistreated will determine whether or not evil or good receives the victory.
If we return evil for evil, then evil wins. The only way to defeat evil is to respond differently - to respond with good.
Working on this🙌