“Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
-Romans 12:17-21
Sometimes people mistakenly use the phrase “live at peace with everyone” to demand silence in the face of oppression. But when we look a few verses down, we have a better way to interpret that verse: overcome evil with good. Evil is all around us – evil motivations, evil desires, evil systems. What would it be like if we let go of our silence, and spoke up with goodness and love in the face of evil?
| Rev. Sara Nave Fisher is ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), currently serving as the Senior Minister of Rolling Oaks Christian Church in San Antonio. Sara is a full-on church nerd who is especially passionate about gender equality both in and out of the church. She also is raising three confident, brilliant kids with her husband Jonathan, who is an Army chaplain. You can find more of her writing at saranavefisher.com. |
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