Pay them Back With Kind Words
Finally,
I want all of you to live together in peace. Be understanding. Love one another
like members of the same family. Be kind and tender. Don't be proud. Don't pay
back evil with evil. Don't pay back unkind words with unkind words. Instead,
pay them back with kind words. That's what you have been chosen to do. You can
receive a blessing by doing it.
Scripture says,
"Do you want to love life and see good days? Then keep your tongues from
speaking evil. Keep your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil,
and do good. Look for peace, and go after it. The
Lord's eyes look with favor on those who are godly. His ears are open to their
prayers. But the Lord doesn't look with favor on those who do evil." —(Psalm 34:12-16)
Who is going to hurt
you if you really want to do good? But suppose you suffer for doing what is
right. Then you will be blessed. Scripture also says, "Don't fear what
others fear. Don't be afraid."—(Isaiah
8:12)
But make sure in your
hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who
asks you about the hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it
gently and with respect.
Live so that you
don't have to feel you've done anything wrong. Some people may say evil things
about your good conduct as believers in Christ. If they do, they will be put to
shame for speaking like that about you. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil if that's what God wants.
1 Peter
3:8-17
Fight for Our Lord.
He not only fought for your sin, He died for your soul. Earn the gratitude and
respect of critics by staying calm and kind with them.
Honor God in your
heart and be ready to give a respectful reply to God to anyone who asks about
the hope within you.
May our response to a
hurting world that’s often hostile to Christ be one that demonstrates God’s love.
To return
good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.
Our Daily Bread –