Bible Questions Answered:
“...and so she did this to put me
down publicly. As a Christian, just what can I do about it...?”
Julie/Memphis, Tennessee U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
Bible Texts:
Matthew 5:38-42 NLT (The
Lord Jesus.)
38 “You have heard the law that
says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and
a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say, do not resist an evil
person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other
cheek also. (No recourse.)
40 If you are sued in court and your
shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
(No
recourse.)
41 If a soldier demands that you
carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
(No
recourse.)
42 Give to those who ask, and don’t
turn away from those who want to borrow.
Recourse:
An opportunity or
choice to use or do something in order to deal with a problem or
situation.
(Merriam-Webster)
Our Lord spoke
about the subject of revenge. A Christian is to seek no recourse,
against abusers, or accusers.
Revenge:
Leviticus 19:18
KJV
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any
grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself: I am The Lord.
Proverbs 10:12
KJV
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love
covereth all sins.
Matthew 5:7 KJV
Blessed are the merciful: for they
shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 6:14,15 KJV
14 For if ye forgive men their
trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:31 KJV
And as ye would that men should do
to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 17:3,4 KJV
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy
brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive
him.
4 And if he trespass against thee
seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Romans
12:2,17-21 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and
customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by
changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will
for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
17 Never pay back evil with more
evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are
honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge.
Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay
them back,” says The Lord.
20 Instead, “If your enemies are
hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning
coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but
conquer evil by doing good.
I
Thessalonians 5:15 KJV
See that none render evil for evil
unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among
yourselves, and to all men.
I Peter 2:21-23
KJV
21 For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow His steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile
found in His mouth:
23 Who, when He was reviled, reviled
not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself
to Him that judgeth righteously:
James 1:19,20
KJV
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,
let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not
the righteousness of God.
I Peter 3:8-12
NLT
8 Finally, all of you should be of
one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and
sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
9 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.
10 For the Scriptures say, “If you
want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from
speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of The Lord watch over
those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But
The Lord turns His face against
those who do evil.”
John 13:15 KJV
(Jesus)
For I have given you an example,
that ye should do as I have done to you.
