Getting Even”¦What Jesus Said
If someone strikes out at you”¦what do you do? What did Jesus say to do?
If someone brings a lawsuit against you”¦what do you do? What did Jesus say?
If someone asks to borrow from you”¦what do you do? What did Jesus say to do?
What is the world”™s motto? Getting even is the world”™s way of dealing with being wrongfully treated. This can be seen in politics, on the streets and in every area of life.
Revenge! What are we to do in seeking revenge, to right the wrongs done to us or someone we love?
What does Jesus say? Jesus gives examples of how we are to live when we are “˜done wrong”™ by someone else.
Jesus quoted Leviticus 24:19-20 (NASB) “If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him:
20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.”
(NASB) Matthew 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, “˜An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”™
39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
Getting even is not an option for the child of God. [Note: this is not about abuse, this is about getting even. Abuse is another matter entirely.]
(NASB) Matthew 5:40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
Bad treatment is to be returned”¦not with vengeance or with “˜getting even”™ but with godly love. Christ”™s followers are to love that person through sacrificial
actions. This is obedience to what Christ taught. This is what Jesus would do and He is our role model.
Where do you need to turn the other cheek?
To whom are you to give more than what they have asked?
When do you need to go the extra mile?
What are you going to give when asked?
Why do you need to return bad treatment with good?