Should we do evil to those who do evil with us???

Romans 12:17-21, ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ 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.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Most often if opportunity strikes right we too give back in same measure to those who have mocked us, insulted us and harmed us. If someone has harmed us we take the help of police station or if strong in ourselves we repay back in same way. If someone happens to curse us we too curse in same level. Proverbs 24:29, ²⁹ Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”

Dear children of God have the faith that nothing happens without the knowledge of the Lord Almighty. Eg: Matthew 26:55-56,⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Here we see that when the Pharisees and Romans came to arrest Jesus, He did not flee nor did not oppose His arrest. He was calm and let it all happen according to the will of the Father in heaven. Jealousy, fear and power/authority makes people full of themselves and find no qualms in hurting others. Eg: The Israelites were full of fear and dread of Goliath. Even King Saul and his army were not brave enough to fight him. Yet we see that David, who was just a boy killed him with a stone. The women of Jerusalem sang songs of praise, ” Saul killed thousands, David killed ten thousand”. Hearing these songs, Saul was so enraged with jealousy that he tried to kill David at every opportunity he got. David fled and hid himself in a cave. Saul sought him even there. But Saul did not see David, instead David saw Saul. To prove his innocence and loyalty to Saul, he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe unnoticed and showed the piece to Saul as well.

2 Samuel 16:5 onwards, we read about David being cursed by Shemei, one of the family members of Saul’s clan. But David does not have him killed or persecuted, instead says that ¹² It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” So we see that David does not repay evil with evil but leaves it Lord’s hands. But just think if it were you or me in his place how would we have reacted?

Matthew 5:39, ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. If we turn our left cheek towards the one who hit us on the right cheek, will his hand raise again to hit or will his head bow in shame??? What will be his reaction when you meet again?? Will he be able to meet you in the eye??

Matthew 5:44, ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,.. Jesus not only said these words but showed them in real life through his actions as well. Luke 23:34, ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

1 Peter 3:9, ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 5:43-48, ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children 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. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Bible teaches us we should not repay evil with evil, rather repay them with blessings. Revenge is not ours to take, but only by the Lord in heaven. the Lord is just and blesses both wicked and the good. It is the duty of us children to follow in the footsteps of the Lord.

James 7:4, ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Romans 12:17-20, ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ 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.²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.