Respond to Abuse with a Blessing

The Way of a New Life

Global Economic Justice

1 Peter 3:8-12 The Message

Suffering for Doing Good

8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life
    and see the day fill up with good,
Here’s what you do:
    Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
    run after peace for all you’re worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
    listening and responding well to what he’s asked;
But he turns his back
    on those who do evil things.

For Reflection

Tit for tat is an act of vengeance. Blessing one who has abused you is a loving response.  The strength in such a response is not widely accepted probably because much of the result is long range. A bigger stick is not the answer to violent acts.  Vengence and a violent reaction to a violent action give the purveyor of violence the upper hand.  One is more vulnerable to violent acts if one accepts the provocation.

Pray

Pray so that you dare to avoid the seduction of vengeance.  Pray so that you will have the will to face abuse as Christ nonviolently has taught us.

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