Daily Devotional
Returning Good For Evil

January 18, 2018

First Peter 3:8-9 says, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

There are three levels of living:
1. To return evil for good. That is devilish.
2. To return evil for evil. That is human.
3. To return good for evil. That is divine.

Christians are not to return evil for evil. But sometimes our minds tell us we need to get even.

I heard of a lady who went to the doctor. He examined her, then got a serious look on his face. She asked him what was wrong. “I hate to tell you this,” he said, “but you have rabies.” She got out a notebook and started to make out a list. He asked, “What are you doing? Making out your will?” “No,” she answered, “I’m making a list of people I’m going to bite.”

That’s the human nature in us. But the Bible says we are not to return evil for evil. They are not going to get by with it. 1 Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Now what’s God saying? You don’t have to repay them. God will repay them. God is watching over you. God sees it all.