Dealing with Advesaries

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Are you familiar with these two sayings: "Don't get mad, get even" and "Fight fire with fire"? How often do you try to take  care of an "adversary" using means just as evil as his?

Such as, you've got someone tailgating you so you slow down. Someone slanders you so you cut down their character to someone else. What is God's stance on this? This scripture says to overcome them with good.

That's not always easy - it's quite against our nature; it's really different. As a follower of Christ, you are supposed to be different. (Exo. 19:5; Deut. 14:2, 26:18-19; Titus 2:14; 1Pet. 2:9). Acting differently as the world acts is our first witness of Christ (Matt. 5:14-16; Jn 13:34-35).

The Lord wants to take of you, so don't worry about "getting even." (Deut. 32:35; Ps. 94:1; Isa. 35:4; Rom. 12:19).

Yesterday's devotional now really comes into play - our goal is to do everything on our part to live peacefully with all men. (Rom 12:18).

Don't take vengeance on others (Rom 12:17). Let God take care of the vengeance (Rom 12:19). Romans 12:20 even goes as far as providing for your enemy with physical needs wherever he lacks.

I've ended up covering Romans 12:17-21; that's okay because it's a great lesson. Don't worry about getting even, worry about doing good. By doing good, you are displaying Christ in your actions.