Introduction: Have you ever been bitten with bitter feelings? Tell the truth. Most have. Just as a poisonous snake can bite you and make you sick, the devil can bite you with poisonous venom called bitterness. Unless treated, your spiritual health could suffer and eventually die a terrible death. God the Holy Spirit thru Paul gives us (3) biblical principles of how to be treated when you are bitten by the devil’s poison. 

1. Are we supposed to Return EVIL for EVIL? (Rom 12:17)

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men….If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

{The word “Recompense” is the Greek word apodidomi, which means give back}

      • What did Jesus tell Peter to do when done wrong? (Matt 18)

2. Are we supposed to Return GOOD for EVIL? (Rom 12:21)

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

     • Does this take away the right to bear arms? No. (See Jesus’ response concerning self defense – Luke 22:35-38)

      • Is there such a thing as a just war? Yes. (See Psalm 44 & 1 Samuel 22 along with Ecclesiastes 3:1-10)

3. Are we supposed to Trust our Lord Jesus Christ to make the WRONG – RIGHT? (Rom 12:19)

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

{The word “Vengeance” is “ekdikeo,” which means to punish}

     • Justice is not always carried out here on earth 

     • God is just and will make the wrong right 

Conclusion: Have you ever been burned by fire? It hurts! Can we fight FIRE with FIRE? Fire experts tell us that fire needs oxygen and fuel, such as leaves and vegetation. Take those away and the chemical reaction needed dissipates. Flames gone. Fire extinguished. However, in this example Paul uses, we are not to return EVIL for EVIL, rather we are to return GOOD for EVIL and in so doing, God is honored and glorified.

*** Bottom line ***

We can trust our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to MAKE the WRONG RIGHT!