“Make sure that no one repays evil for evil.  Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15 BSB)

           This scripture commands believers to refrain from revenge—evil for evil—tit for tat—you hurt me I’ll hurt you.  Revenge is the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.  It urges a person to “see that no one repays anyone evil for evil.”  It promotes active proactive kindness toward fellow believers and all people, rather than retaliation.  

           It is positive action instead of vengeance, we are to pursue and strive for what is good for others and in others.  Matthew 7:12a reads, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” This is the Golden Rule, it acts as a concise summary of ethical conduct, urging proactive, loving, and respectful treatment of others. These two scriptures go hand in hand.

           So why is this important?  Because these scriptures have commanded us to do good to all people, for it is not limited to other Christians only but to “all” people, including those who may have caused us harm.  

In other words, it is never our task to retaliate, to get even, to get revenge, to make someone pay for what he or she did, or to settle the score with someone we think did evil against us. We are to treat others as we want to be treated and to forgive as God has forgiven us.  It is something to think about, the next time we want to repay evil for evil.  God Bless. Amen.

denise