Overcome Evil With Good
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
Do not retaliate. So far as you can do so, remove all cause for misapprehension. Avoid the appearance of evil. Do all that lies in your power, without the sacrifice of principle, to conciliate others. "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:23, 24).
If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that "a soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.
Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God's promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises: "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) (The Ministry of Healing, 485, 486)
Reflection: I have experienced first hand that it is hard to fight with someone that will not fight back. Try this out for yourself. Give a soft answer even if you are wronged. Anger that has been vented against you will evaporate and the contention in most cases will cease. Then you can continue having a good day. Christ's council is to "Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly I heart" (Matthew 11:29).
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
Do not retaliate. So far as you can do so, remove all cause for misapprehension. Avoid the appearance of evil. Do all that lies in your power, without the sacrifice of principle, to conciliate others. "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:23, 24).
If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that "a soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.
Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God's promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises: "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) (The Ministry of Healing, 485, 486)
Reflection: I have experienced first hand that it is hard to fight with someone that will not fight back. Try this out for yourself. Give a soft answer even if you are wronged. Anger that has been vented against you will evaporate and the contention in most cases will cease. Then you can continue having a good day. Christ's council is to "Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly I heart" (Matthew 11:29).
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