Our Reactions
The world says “an eye for an eye” and also “get them before they get you, but
Jesus said pray for those that hurt you (Matthew 5:43-47) says “you have heard
that it has been said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I
say to 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. That
you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for He makes His sun
to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the
publicans the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than
others? Do not even the publicans so”?
Jesus didn’t ask us to anything that He did not do, He prayed for those who
crucified Him, asking for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34) “then said Jesus, Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do”.
Don’t retaliate, rather trust God; David is a good example to follow. When king
Saul was pursuing and trying to kill him, and even though he had two
opportunities to take matters in his own hand, and defend himself, he trusted
God (I Samuel 24:1-12) which says “and it came to pass, when Saul was returned
from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, behold, David is in the
wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all
Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And
he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to
relieve himself, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And
the men of David said to him, behold the day of which the Lord Yahweh said to
you. Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as
it shall seem good to you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe
privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he
had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said to his men, the Lord Yahweh forbid that I
should do this thing to my master, the Lord Yahweh’s anointed, to stretch forth
mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord Yahweh. So David
persuaded his servants with these words, and allowed them not to rise against
Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. David also rose
afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, my lord the
king, and when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth;
and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, wherefore hear you men’s words,
saying, behold, David seeks your hurt? Behold, this day your eyes have see
how that the Lord Yahweh had delivered you to day into my hand in the cave;
and some bade me kill you; but my eyes spared you; and I said, I will not put forth
my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord Yahweh’s anointed. Moreover, my
father, see, yea, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt
of your robe, and killed you not, know you and see that there is neither evil nor
transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you; yet you hunt my
soul to take it. The Lord Yahweh judge between me and you, and the Lord
Yahweh avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be upon you”. And again the
second time in I Samuel 26:2-3,7-11 “then Saul arose, and went down to the
wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek
David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is
before Jeshimon, by the way, but David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that
Saul came after him in the wilderness. So David and Abishai came to the people
by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in
the ground at his bolster; but Abner and the people lay round about him. then
said Abishai to David, God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day;
now therefore let me smite him, I pray you, with the spear even to the earth at
once, and I will not smite him the second time. And David said to Abishai, destroy
him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord Yahweh’s anointed,
and be guiltless? David said furthermore, as the Lord Yahweh lives, the Lord
shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle and
perish”. David had two occasions to kill king Saul, but he refused to avenge
himself. And just as David prophesied, Saul went into battle and he perished.
This is why he is called “a man after God’s own heart”.
The Bible tells us “recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in
the sight of all men. If it be possible; as much as lies in you, live peaceable with
all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather give place to wrath;
for it is written. Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore if your
enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in doing you shall heap
coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”
(Romans 12:17-21).
Besides if you retaliate, you are sowing retaliation (Galatians 6:7-10), which says
“be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he
also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he
that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be
weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have
therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the
household of faith”.
I Corinthians 13 the love chapter says “charity suffers long, and is kind; charity
envies not, charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself
unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. Rejoices not
in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things” (verses 4-7).
The devil sends people your way to offend you, trying to get you into un-
forgiveness, but the way you react is up to you. When people do things to you,
and you don’t react the way they have planned for you, you will throw them off
guard, and a lot of times you can win them over.
You have the opportunity to react by faith or by fear. When you react in fear,
you become your own god and try to defend yourself; thinking that if you don’t,
nobody else will defend you. The devil wants you to react by your emotions. But
the Bible says “for we know Him that has said, vengeance belongs to Me, I will
recompense, says the Lord, and again the Lord shall judge His people” (Hebrews
10:30). In Hebrews 12:14-15 the Bible says “follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently less any
man fall of the grace of God, less any root to bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled”.
When you react in faith, you cast that care on Jesus for He cares for you; and
this recognizes that He is God, and this gives Him the right to come to your
defense. When you consider this, you will be strengthened to keep your love
walk aright.
James 1:2-5 says “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers
temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let
patience have her perfect works, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men
liberally, and upbraids not, and it shall be given him”. One might say how can
you count it all joy, knowing that God is with you, because “He never leaves us or
forsakes us”; just trusting Him and is you need to ask for wisdom to overcome
any problems, just ask Him and He will give you the wisdom you need to come out
on top.
Let us put our trust in God, and stay focused on walking in love. Don’t be tricked
by the devil, remember the Bible says “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore
take to you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand the evil
day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: April 14, 2009
The world says “an eye for an eye” and also “get them before they get you, but
Jesus said pray for those that hurt you (Matthew 5:43-47) says “you have heard
that it has been said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I
say to 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. That
you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for He makes His sun
to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the
publicans the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than
others? Do not even the publicans so”?
Jesus didn’t ask us to anything that He did not do, He prayed for those who
crucified Him, asking for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34) “then said Jesus, Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do”.
Don’t retaliate, rather trust God; David is a good example to follow. When king
Saul was pursuing and trying to kill him, and even though he had two
opportunities to take matters in his own hand, and defend himself, he trusted
God (I Samuel 24:1-12) which says “and it came to pass, when Saul was returned
from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, behold, David is in the
wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all
Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And
he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to
relieve himself, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And
the men of David said to him, behold the day of which the Lord Yahweh said to
you. Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as
it shall seem good to you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe
privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he
had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said to his men, the Lord Yahweh forbid that I
should do this thing to my master, the Lord Yahweh’s anointed, to stretch forth
mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord Yahweh. So David
persuaded his servants with these words, and allowed them not to rise against
Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. David also rose
afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, my lord the
king, and when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth;
and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, wherefore hear you men’s words,
saying, behold, David seeks your hurt? Behold, this day your eyes have see
how that the Lord Yahweh had delivered you to day into my hand in the cave;
and some bade me kill you; but my eyes spared you; and I said, I will not put forth
my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord Yahweh’s anointed. Moreover, my
father, see, yea, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt
of your robe, and killed you not, know you and see that there is neither evil nor
transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you; yet you hunt my
soul to take it. The Lord Yahweh judge between me and you, and the Lord
Yahweh avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be upon you”. And again the
second time in I Samuel 26:2-3,7-11 “then Saul arose, and went down to the
wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek
David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is
before Jeshimon, by the way, but David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that
Saul came after him in the wilderness. So David and Abishai came to the people
by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in
the ground at his bolster; but Abner and the people lay round about him. then
said Abishai to David, God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day;
now therefore let me smite him, I pray you, with the spear even to the earth at
once, and I will not smite him the second time. And David said to Abishai, destroy
him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord Yahweh’s anointed,
and be guiltless? David said furthermore, as the Lord Yahweh lives, the Lord
shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle and
perish”. David had two occasions to kill king Saul, but he refused to avenge
himself. And just as David prophesied, Saul went into battle and he perished.
This is why he is called “a man after God’s own heart”.
The Bible tells us “recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in
the sight of all men. If it be possible; as much as lies in you, live peaceable with
all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather give place to wrath;
for it is written. Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore if your
enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in doing you shall heap
coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”
(Romans 12:17-21).
Besides if you retaliate, you are sowing retaliation (Galatians 6:7-10), which says
“be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he
also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he
that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be
weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have
therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the
household of faith”.
I Corinthians 13 the love chapter says “charity suffers long, and is kind; charity
envies not, charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself
unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. Rejoices not
in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things” (verses 4-7).
The devil sends people your way to offend you, trying to get you into un-
forgiveness, but the way you react is up to you. When people do things to you,
and you don’t react the way they have planned for you, you will throw them off
guard, and a lot of times you can win them over.
You have the opportunity to react by faith or by fear. When you react in fear,
you become your own god and try to defend yourself; thinking that if you don’t,
nobody else will defend you. The devil wants you to react by your emotions. But
the Bible says “for we know Him that has said, vengeance belongs to Me, I will
recompense, says the Lord, and again the Lord shall judge His people” (Hebrews
10:30). In Hebrews 12:14-15 the Bible says “follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently less any
man fall of the grace of God, less any root to bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled”.
When you react in faith, you cast that care on Jesus for He cares for you; and
this recognizes that He is God, and this gives Him the right to come to your
defense. When you consider this, you will be strengthened to keep your love
walk aright.
James 1:2-5 says “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers
temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let
patience have her perfect works, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men
liberally, and upbraids not, and it shall be given him”. One might say how can
you count it all joy, knowing that God is with you, because “He never leaves us or
forsakes us”; just trusting Him and is you need to ask for wisdom to overcome
any problems, just ask Him and He will give you the wisdom you need to come out
on top.
Let us put our trust in God, and stay focused on walking in love. Don’t be tricked
by the devil, remember the Bible says “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore
take to you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand the evil
day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: April 14, 2009
