Romans 12:17
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
One factor that helps when turning a verse into a prayer is to SLOWWWWW DOWWWN. In our fast paced life it is easy to approach the scriptures with the same speed and attitude. So we look at todays bible verse, make a mental check list in our minds. We may even see a check box.
We see the statement don’t’ repay evil…think for a second…I am not evil…check I am good on that verse and move on. But when we slow down. We give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to bring his search light into our lives.
So let’s think about the verse for a moment. We know it would be wrong to hit someone back just because they hit us. What about retaliating in a word fight? A spouse says something hurtful and you respond with hurtful words. Or your brother or sister knows what aggravates you, to quickly get you to respond with I”I hate You”. Or yelling at a referee at your child’s ball game, because he made in your opinion an unfair call? Is it right for you to call him names?
What about a person a work that is lying about reports or about your performance, do you respond with a cold shoulder? For those who drive, how do you respond to aggressive drivers who feel that their purpose for being on the road is of higher values than yours? And Jesus dealt with heart issues when he said that if we hate our brother we have committed murder already in our hearts.
Choosing the path of love is the right response that fulfills the next part of the verse. Others will see how you respond and know that Jesus is making a difference in who you are and how you treat other people.
Let’s Pray
Father you alone are judge! You alone know when a person would receive grace or penalties for their sin. I thank you that you have not judged me every time I do wrong. Jesus has taken the m=punishment for me. Lord help, me speak gently with my wife. I know when I am accelerating the conversation into the wrong direction. I am wrong. Please forgive me.
Father, help me to follow your voice and your ways so as not to offend others or cause them to stumble for my actions. Let me walk in the freedom that comes from truthful living. I pray all of these things in Jesus Name, AMEN.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
One factor that helps when turning a verse into a prayer is to SLOWWWWW DOWWWN. In our fast paced life it is easy to approach the scriptures with the same speed and attitude. So we look at todays bible verse, make a mental check list in our minds. We may even see a check box.
We see the statement don’t’ repay evil…think for a second…I am not evil…check I am good on that verse and move on. But when we slow down. We give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to bring his search light into our lives.
So let’s think about the verse for a moment. We know it would be wrong to hit someone back just because they hit us. What about retaliating in a word fight? A spouse says something hurtful and you respond with hurtful words. Or your brother or sister knows what aggravates you, to quickly get you to respond with I”I hate You”. Or yelling at a referee at your child’s ball game, because he made in your opinion an unfair call? Is it right for you to call him names?
What about a person a work that is lying about reports or about your performance, do you respond with a cold shoulder? For those who drive, how do you respond to aggressive drivers who feel that their purpose for being on the road is of higher values than yours? And Jesus dealt with heart issues when he said that if we hate our brother we have committed murder already in our hearts.
Choosing the path of love is the right response that fulfills the next part of the verse. Others will see how you respond and know that Jesus is making a difference in who you are and how you treat other people.
Let’s Pray
Father you alone are judge! You alone know when a person would receive grace or penalties for their sin. I thank you that you have not judged me every time I do wrong. Jesus has taken the m=punishment for me. Lord help, me speak gently with my wife. I know when I am accelerating the conversation into the wrong direction. I am wrong. Please forgive me.
Father, help me to follow your voice and your ways so as not to offend others or cause them to stumble for my actions. Let me walk in the freedom that comes from truthful living. I pray all of these things in Jesus Name, AMEN.