A friend of mine once heard a preacher criticize him over the radio and tell things that were not only unkind, but also untrue. My friend became very angry and was planning to fight back, when a godly preacher said, “Don’t do it.

If you defend yourself, then the Lord can’t defend you. Leave it in His hands.” My friend followed that wise counsel, and the Lord vindicated him.

As children of God, we must live on the highest level— returning good for evil. Anyone can return good for good and evil for evil. The only way to overcome evil is with good. If we return evil for evil, we only add fuel to the fire.

And even if our enemy is not converted, we have still experienced the love of God in our own hearts and have grown in grace.

Verse for today: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20-21).

Consider: Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:44- 48.

Action assignment: Study 1 Peter 2:20-25. Surely we need to pray and ask God for love as we try to show love to our enemies (or even those who simply dislike us).

Will they take advantage of us? Will they hate us even more when we are kind? Only the Lord knows. Our task is to obey the Lord and leave the results with Him. Pray for God to give you His strength and wisdom as you learn definite ways in which you can overcome evil with good.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in