How should Christians deal with evil people? This is a question that most of us know the answer to, because most of us are familiar with the example that Jesus Christ left. We know that he was generous, patient, tenderhearted, compassionate, and kind. Our Heavenly Father has commanded us to be this way as well. He tells us in Ephesians 4:31-32(NLT), “31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” As mature Christians we understand this, but when we’re in a tough spot, and someone is verbally attacking us; when they are lying, and brazenly coming against us, sometimes turning the other cheek can take a back seat real quick. The question then becomes, “How do we turn the corner on our own behavior in these instances?”
When we are wronged, we’re not supposed to retaliate. That may be a hard pill to swallow for some of us, but it’s the Word, and the Word should have total and utter authority in our lives. Jesus Christ said in John 14:15(NLT), “If you love me, obey my commandments.” He said in Matthew 5:38-39(NLT), “38 You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” Evil people were around when Jesus walked the earth, and they are still here today. He tells us not to oppose them but instead, show self-control and calmness.
Jesus didn’t mean that we should allow people to take advantage of us. That’s not what he meant at all. He didn’t want us to be ignorant of the reality that there will be evil people who do satan’s work against us. They create trouble and attempt to steal our peace, but we shouldn’t let them be a thorn in our sides. Some of us worry about these folks all night long. We continually think about what they’ve done to us, because we’re angry. They seem to be getting away with wronging us, and we feel we have no way to take control of the situation.
God’s Will is that we know who we are in Christ, and let him be in control. We must have faith in our standing, and we must trust that we are empowered by God’s Holy Spirit who dwells within. Those who do not know Christ in the pardon of their sins are tragically lost. Jesus Christ said in John 3:3(NLT), “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” We must be so tremendously thankful to God that this is not our fate. We know Jesus! We’ve accepted his love in our hearts. We have confessed him as our Lord and Savior, and we believed in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. We are saved! And this means everything! Don’t allow anyone to pull you away from having a grateful mind and heart for your salvation.
1Corinthians 5:17(NLT) says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” After we accept the Lord Jesus Christ, we are transformed. It’s out with the old and in with the new. This means that some of the things we used to do when we didn’t know Christ, we no longer do. He’s made all the difference in our lives, and God commands us to change our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that they mirror the change Christ has made in us.
When Christ is Lord in our lives, we surrender to him. We take a backseat and allow him to steer us into the infinite possibilities that God has in store. When we don’t allow the Lord to have his way in us and respond to challenges the way that he did, we fall into satan’s traps. The Apostle Paul said in 2Corinthians 2:10-11(NLT), “10 And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” People are sometimes used by the enemy to provoke us to anger and vengeance, and this is one of his evil schemes. Through the love, forgiveness, and patience of Jesus Christ, we can outsmart satan and give God the glory instead of the enemy.
Romans 12:17-19(NLT) says, “17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.” God wants us to have faith that He will fight our battles. He’s in control, not us. Sometimes we lash out and fight back without even thinking about what we’re doing. We need to know that we can stand our ground without using weapons of the flesh. We must have faith in the truth that God never fails us. We are empowered by His Holy Spirit to overcome evil by simply doing what God has said in His Word. Stay calm, remember who you are in Christ, and let God’s peace guide your heart.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“When You’re in A Tough Spot”, written by Reverend Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Stephens for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2023. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.