Have you ever experienced a moment when you were having an exceptionally joyful day – one where you felt love for everybody and everything – when all of a sudden, and out of the blue, you were smacked in the face with an insult, rude behavior or someone’s bad attitude?
Isn’t it amazing how our happy, loving and carefree attitude can almost instantly change to anger, hatred and violent thoughts when someone says or does the wrong thing? Believe it or not, there is a Biblical prescription for just such moments. I can’t say that the medicine is sweet, but it is always effective.
The Apostle Peter, who once cut the ear off the servant of the High Priest in the Garden of Gethsemane, apparently learned some things about attitude and retribution over the years. By the time he got around to writing First Peter, he gave this advice:
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9 NLT)
Peter had obviously learned the message taught by the Messiah many years earlier:
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also…“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” (Luke 6:27-29, 35-36)
The devil wants to steal your joy and wants to make you ineffective, but you are of too much noble character for that. You are a King’s Kid! The next time you feel the urge to fight back, let your inner royalty come out instead. This will be Jesus Judo to the devil and will guarantee a Biblical blessing rather than a corrosive curse.
Shalom
Rodney