Overcoming Evil

OVERCOMING EVIL
(How To Handle It When Others Wrong You)

1. Seek to communicate privately with the person who has wronged you.

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over" (Matthew 18:15).

2. If you can't get the matter settled, take one or two with you.

"But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses'" (Matthew 18:16).

3. If that doesn't work, tell it to the church; seek help there.

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector" (Matthew 18:17).

4. Bless those who persecute you.

5. Do not seek revenge.

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody" (Romans 12:17).
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).
"Do not say, "I’ll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you" (Proverbs 20:22).

6. Pursue peace with everyone.

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).

7. Overcome evil with good.

8. Imitate Jesus by suffering wrongfully, if need be; in no way should we try to get even.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

9. Love your enemies and do good to them.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matthew 5:43-47).
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head" (Romans 12:20).

10. Turn the other cheek; be kind to the person who has wronged you.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matthew 5:38-42).
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else" (1 Thessalonians 5:15).