Don't Hit Back!

One night this past night, I had a dream about talking to a guy who was really mad at his friend who had hurt him and done some pretty stupid stuff. He kept telling me how much he wanted to get revenge and that he couldn't even talk to his friend because of the situation. He told me what had happened, although I don't remember right now, and asked me if there was anything I should do.  In my dream, I had a verse in my mind to share with him, but I could not remember the reference. This morning when my family was doing family devotions, the whole story was based on the verse in my dream, Romans 12:17-21.

I decided, right then, that I needed to write about this verse. Take a minute to read it in two different translations:

Romans 12:17-21 NIV
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; 
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21 The Message
Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

What could you learn from these verses?

Do they have anything to do with a relationship in your life?

How can you live out these verses?

Think on these verses. You never know what you could learn. I challenge you to read the whole chapter 12 of Romans, and even the whole book of Romans.