Pay Back
Romans 12:17-21 “17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Back in ancient times there were no matchsticks or modern fire starters in the homes. The only source fire they had at was kept in a brazier of burning coals. This source of fire was used for cooking or boiling water also for providing warmth.
This fire in the brazier was always kept burning day and night. If for some reason the fire should go out, a family member would take an empty brazier to one their neighbour’s homes to borrow some of their coals of fire.
If this neighbour was a generous person, they would heap the neighbour’s brazier with loads of burning coals.
This person would then place the brazier filled with the burning coals they received from the neighbour, onto their head and head home. Their head would not be burnt because they would use different a type of basket, or cloth turban to insulate the heat from their head.
Therefore, heaping a neighbour’s empty brazier with hot coals was considered a good deed like feeding an enemy with food and drink. This was looked upon as supplying someone’s needs through love and generous giving.
Proverbs 25:21-22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; Vs 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Scriptures give clear instructions on what a person should do (actions toward someone) when wronged by someone.
Deuteronomy 32:35 “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand,
Recompense: is to give something by way of compensation (something given as a means of compensating).
Hebrews 10:30 “For we know him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge His people.”
Getting back or getting even with someone who has wronged you gives satisfaction to the flesh but gives no glory to God.
Matt 5:38-39-38 “You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Vs 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
A person should not take it upon themselves to retaliate in the same way against someone who has wronged them. Going “tit for tat” in an effort to get even, or “pay someone back” for what they have done to you is paying back evil with more evil.
Romans 12:17- “Repay no one evil for evil.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.“
Father in heaven, it is my payer that your people remember the instructions You have given in the scriptures on what should be done when they have been wronged by someone. In Jesus name…Amen!
Continuing in His service…Rev
