Romans 12:17-18 (NCV)
Do you think God can bring good out of something bad, like when you’re bullied or harassed?
You bet he can. It’s hard to see it and trust it in the moment. When someone wrongs you, you may be tempted to fight back or defend yourself. But God is just, and it’s his job to punish, restore, and turn things around for good.
“If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: ‘I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19 NCV).
Notice the words “do your best.” As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. That’s because God knows there are some people in life who are almost impossible to get along with. When you’re harassed or bullied, God doesn’t want you to retaliate. He wants you to walk away.
To that, you might say, “But you don’t know what they’ve done to me! They’ve hurt me. They've caused a lot of harm, and I want to get even.”
People who are bullies want to hook you. They want to get your attention and engage you—and then attack. They can’t stand it if you ignore them! This is also true online. It’s often hard to figuratively walk away from an attack in a comment thread on Facebook. But when you refuse to react, you’ve taken control away from bullies. If they can’t engage you, then they can’t control you.
Whenever you tell someone, “You make me so mad,” you’re admitting that you've given control of your emotions to somebody else. You don’t want to do that. You don’t want to give anyone power over your emotions.
Romans 12 says God gives you a choice: Either you can seek revenge yourself or you can trust God and let him avenge you. Who do you think can do a better job?
Refuse to retaliate. Walk away. Let it go! And let God do his work.
Do you think God can bring good out of something bad, like when you’re bullied or harassed?
You bet he can. It’s hard to see it and trust it in the moment. When someone wrongs you, you may be tempted to fight back or defend yourself. But God is just, and it’s his job to punish, restore, and turn things around for good.
“If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: ‘I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19 NCV).
Notice the words “do your best.” As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. That’s because God knows there are some people in life who are almost impossible to get along with. When you’re harassed or bullied, God doesn’t want you to retaliate. He wants you to walk away.
To that, you might say, “But you don’t know what they’ve done to me! They’ve hurt me. They've caused a lot of harm, and I want to get even.”
People who are bullies want to hook you. They want to get your attention and engage you—and then attack. They can’t stand it if you ignore them! This is also true online. It’s often hard to figuratively walk away from an attack in a comment thread on Facebook. But when you refuse to react, you’ve taken control away from bullies. If they can’t engage you, then they can’t control you.
Whenever you tell someone, “You make me so mad,” you’re admitting that you've given control of your emotions to somebody else. You don’t want to do that. You don’t want to give anyone power over your emotions.
Romans 12 says God gives you a choice: Either you can seek revenge yourself or you can trust God and let him avenge you. Who do you think can do a better job?
Refuse to retaliate. Walk away. Let it go! And let God do his work.
Talk It Over
What is a good way to end a conversation on social media in which you feel bullied?
Have you ever trusted God to handle a difficult situation rather than seeking revenge yourself? How did that turn out for you?
What are some practical tools you can use to control your emotions in a volatile situation so that you can respond how God wants you to?
- by Pastor Rick
********************************
Prayer:
Father,
We come before You today, asking for Your peace to guard our hearts and minds. We surrender every urge to react in anger, to hold grudges, or to be drawn into ongoing conflict. We release the need to control outcomes and to carry the emotional weight of others’ struggles. As Your Word says in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We choose peace over strife, and we ask You to remove the spirit of division, bitterness, and resentment from our hearts.
Father, we bind every spirit of conflict and unbelief that seeks to stir up trouble. We cast out every seed of anger, jealousy, and misunderstanding. Silence the voices that incite division, and replace them with Your calm and wisdom. Clothe us with love, as Colossians 3:14 says, “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”. Help us respond with gentleness, to forgive freely, and to walk in the peace that surpasses all understanding.
By Your Word, Lord, we declare that we will not be consumed by strife. We will stand firm in Your will, and let Your peace reign in our hearts and in our relationships. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen
Father, we bind every spirit of conflict and unbelief that seeks to stir up trouble. We cast out every seed of anger, jealousy, and misunderstanding. Silence the voices that incite division, and replace them with Your calm and wisdom. Clothe us with love, as Colossians 3:14 says, “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”. Help us respond with gentleness, to forgive freely, and to walk in the peace that surpasses all understanding.
By Your Word, Lord, we declare that we will not be consumed by strife. We will stand firm in Your will, and let Your peace reign in our hearts and in our relationships. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen
