Doing Good to Evil People

Readings:

Genesis 34

Genesis 35

Matthew 12

Matthew 13

Psalms 10

In the heat of anger, the flesh cross out for “justice” but what it really wants is “vengeance”. And there is a high cost to vengeance, not just for us — but for all around us. Using vengeance against one person who has wronged us usually means significant collateral damage. We hurt more people than just the offender when we seek vengeance on our own,  and we create danger for us and those around us.

This is why the Lord tells us that vengeance is His. He is better at diverting actual justice and insuring full amends and compensation because He can turn what was meant for evil to good.

Romans 12:19-21 NLT
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Genesis 50:19-21 NLT
But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

As Jesus tells us the parable of the seed in Matthew 13, we have to consider which type of person we are:

Matthew 13:11-12 NLT
He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

And if we are someone who doesn’t yet have eyes to see our ears to hear,  Jesus gives us the recipe. 

Matthew 13:12 NLT
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

Will we just hear this Word, or we listen?

Are we willing to listen, contemplate and try to understand?

Are we willing to wrestle with it when the Word teaches The Way that is narrow and uncomfortable to the desires of our flesh and humiliating to the foolishness of our ego?

If someone says,  “Do good to people who are evil to you” — our flesh and our ego will stand up to call them an idiot. But do we have another still quiet voice that wants us to listen and understand what is being taught?