In PNG, payback is a way of life. Since the superstitious people do not believe in accidents, harm done to any relative will often result in severe payback. In our culture, we may respond to evil a bit more cautiously, but often with no less evil intent.

One commentator identified four ways we can react to others: 1) The cruel way – evil for good, 2) The common way – evil for evil, 3) The civil way – good for good, 4) The Christian way – good for evil. The Christian way requires God’s help as it goes against our sinful nature.

Transition

As we examine this verse, I want us to note three instructions we find about returning evil for evil.

The 1st instruction tells us

What we are NOT to do

  1. The Urgency
    1. The verse begins with the words “see that”. These words may also be translated make sure, beware, pay heed to.
    2. These words stress the important urgency of what is about to be stated. This is very important. If we fail to follow this instruction, we will do something that only God has the right to do.
  2. The Prohibition
    1. We are not to render evil for evil. In other words, we are not to give back evil for evil done to us. Rendering evil for evil is doing unto others as they did unto me, usually with an extra punch. Typically, if you ask a child, “Why did you hit your brother?” He will say something like, “Because he hit me first” or “Because he took my toy.” Road rage is an example of adults doing the same thing. In marriage, it might be giving your spouse the silent treatment because he or she said or did something that hurt you.
    2. Returning evil for evil is called vengeance. Webster defines vengeance as “The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offence.”
    3. Notice what we read in (Psalms 94:1) “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.” All vengeance belongs to God because He alone is able to do it justly. He knows all the motives, the extent of harm, the required just payment, the best time and way to deal with it, and He can do it without sinning.
    4. Examine with me some of what the Bible says about returning evil for evil.
      1. (Proverbs 17:13) “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.”
      2. (Proverbs 20:22) “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”
      3. (Proverbs 24:29) “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.”
      4. (Romans 12:17-19) “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
      5. (1 Peter 3:9) “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
    5. When God said, “See that none render evil for evil”, He was clearly forbidding us to get even with those who have hurt us. We must not harbour bitterness. We must not think evil while we do good (that is hypocritical). We must ask God to remove completely the spirit of revenge from our hearts. We must work at quashing every trace of it. The desire to get even is a wicked sin.
  3. The Extent
    1. God said that none of us is to render evil for evil. This includes each one of us.
    2. We are not to render evil for evil to any man. God did not make any exceptions. Vengeance is not our job. It belongs only to God. God does place some vengeance in the hands of government (Romans 13:1-4), but not in the hands of individuals.
      The 2nd instruction tells us

What We ARE to do

  1. We are to do the opposite
    1. The word “but” is that strong contrasting conjunction alla in the original language.
    2. This word lets us know that what we ARE to do is the opposite of we are NOT to do.
    3. This is what we are to ever or always do.
  2. We are to chase the good
    1. The words “follow after” literally tell us to chase the good. We are to run after the good to catch it and do it. It is a habitual action not just one that we are to do occasionally. We must always force ourselves to do good when we don’t feel like it.
    2. “Good” refers to anything that is pleasant, agreeable, excellent, upright or honourable.
    3. We see how Jesus defined “good” as we read, (Matthew 5:44) “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” The only way we can do this is if we first forgive. We are to be loving toward them even if we do not like what they did to us. Notice that Jesus said, “Pray for them” not “pray against them”.
    4. Jesus also said in (Matthew 7:12) “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
    5. Note the similar command in (Romans 12:21) “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
      1. Think about what this verse is saying. If we are not careful, evil will overcome us. It will conquer us. BUT we are to do the opposite. We are to overcome or conquer evil by doing good.
      2. Our response to evil that comes our way determines whether we will be defeated by evil or victorious over evil. If we choose to get even, we disobey God, we try to do God’s job, we keep God from dealing with the person who wronged us, we make the problem worse, we are defeated by evil and the devil gains a chance to accuse us before God.
    6. Remember, we are not just to do good to those who hurt us when we are feeling super spiritual. No! We are to chase after the good. It is as if the devil is blowing the good away from us and we must run fast to catch it. No doubt about it, it is not easy to do good when our flesh wants to get even.
      The 3rd instruction tells us

To whom we are to do good

  1. Towards one another
    1. When God said, “do good among yourselves”, He was talking about among the believers of the local church. The Thessalonians church was to apply these instructions to each other. (Galatians 6:10) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
    2. We must practice it in our homes. When your brother or sister is mean to you, treat them with love. When your spouse is unkind, be good to him or her.
    3. We must practice it in our church. When someone hurts your feelings, pray for them and be good to them.
  2. Towards all
    1. The phrase “to all men” means to everyone.
    2. It means we are to be good even to those who persecute us.

Conclusion

Doing good for evil is not easy. To do it consistently, we must walk in the Spirit, depend upon God’s help, and not allow even the spirit of revenge to hide in our hearts.

If you have a spirit of revenge in your heart, you need to confess it to God and ask Him to help you get it out of your heart.

If you have returned evil for evil to your brother or sister or spouse or fellow-Christian or neighbour or any unkind person, confess the sin to God and then humble yourself and ask the person to forgive you.

Song: His Way with Thee – 367
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No Evil for Evil
15 May 2016 AM – 1Thessalonians 5:15 – 1Th2016 – Scott Childs