WORD FOR TODAY

8/6/07

Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore

         “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
      For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

 

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

Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “A soft answer turns away wrath.”  It is true that a humble response to wrath will normally cause it to subside, it is equally true that some people will never be pacified.  Because of long term bitterness and resentment, their wrath runs to high.

The only thing we can and the thing we must do is to be meek and lowly in the face of their anger and leave it to God.  No one has the right to mistreat another human being.  By God’s grace respond calmly to another’s anger.  “Paul says live peaceably with all men.”  (Romans 12:18)  We must be peacemakers.  Obedience is our job; leave the rest to God.

Some things can’t be fixed no matter what we do, so we must rely on God’s grace to deal with them.

Calm, quiet words may not always turn away another’s wrath, but you can never go wrong with a soft answer.