“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” — 1 Peter 3:9
When someone hurts us, mistreats us, talks about us, or says something ugly to us, something inside us wants to respond.
“Well, if that’s how you’re going to treat me…”
And before we know it, we are returning exactly what was handed to us.
But 1 Peter 3:9 tells us something completely different:
Don’t repay evil with evil. Repay evil with a blessing.
That raises an important question:
Whose side am I on?
There really are two kingdoms at work in this world. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came that we might have life. Satan loves division, bitterness, unforgiveness, retaliation and broken relationships.
Jesus brings forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation, peace and love.
So when someone hurts me and I choose to hurt them back, whose work am I helping accomplish?
Ouch.
Jesus never said following Him would mean people would always treat us right. He taught us what to do when they don’t.
Love your enemies.
Pray for those who mistreat you.
Forgive.
Bless.
Do good.
And sometimes following Jesus means somebody has to make the first move.
Why not let it be me?
Maybe today there is someone who has hurt you. You may even feel completely justified in waiting for them to apologize, call, text or make things right.
But what if today you stopped waiting?
Take one simple step.
Send the text.
Make the phone call.
Offer the kind word.
Pray sincerely for them.
Do something good for them without expecting anything in return.
You don’t have to pretend the hurt didn’t happen, and blessing someone doesn’t mean approving of what they did. It simply means refusing to allow their behavior to determine yours.
We belong to Jesus.
And sometimes the clearest way to show whose side we’re on is to respond in a way that looks nothing like the world—and everything like Him.
Today, before you repay, bless.
Before you retaliate, pray.
Before you wait for them to make the first move, ask Jesus:
“Lord, what would You have ME do?”
Then do it.
Because perhaps the first step toward healing isn’t waiting for someone else to change.
Perhaps it’s allowing Jesus to start with us.
LET’S PRAY
Jesus, I want my words, actions and reactions to show that I belong to You. When I am hurt, help me resist the temptation to hurt back. Show me who I can bless today and give me the courage and humility to make the first move. Let my response look like You. Amen.
TODAY’S HEARTKEEPER CHALLENGE:
Think of one person with whom there is hurt, tension or distance. Ask God to show you one specific way to bless them today—then make the first move.
