When we are hurt by someone, the first thing we want to do is retaliate, or hurt them just as bad. Often times we feel that it’s only by “getting revenge” that we will feel better, however this just isn’t true. The Bible explicitly tells us not to seek revenge.
1 Peter 3:9 English Standard Version (ESV)
"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
So not only are we told not to repay evil for evil, but were also told to bless. How can we bless those who hurt us? Why would we? We are now going to take a look at these 2 questions in hopes that we will be able to resist the temptation of repaying evil for evil.
How can we bless those who hurt us?
The key to this is in dropping our pride. The only thing that makes us want to “get back” at this person is our ego. We are so overwhelmed that someone would harm us that we immediately feel the need to do the same or to get even. Once we drop our pride and only focus on loving people despite their flaws, we can bless them.
Why would we want to?
Why on earth would we bless someone who has just wronged us? There are many answers for this, but first off, because God commands us to. Luke 6:28 says, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” We only have to realize that all of God’s commands are actually beneficial for us. They may be hard, but they are here to help us.
Another reason we want to is because at the end of 1 Peter 3:9 it says, “For to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” The blessing comes from not only God seeing our good deeds, but also in the fact that by blessing this person we are releasing any hatred or bad feelings towards them.
Our goal as Christians is to grow to be more and more Christ-like every day. We are told to follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:19-25 gives us a great description of how Christ did not retaliate to those who persecuted him. May we remember His example, and always strive to shine our light.
1 Peter 2:15 English Standard Version (ESV)
"For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."
