"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you."
Proverbs 25:21-22 NKJV
Paul reinforces this when he gives his speech in Romans 12:14-21, and it is well worth studying this in line with today's commentary. It can be so difficult to act this way towards someone when they are being blatantly rude and arrogant to you. Your natural reaction wants to rip their head off, but as Christians, you wouldn't be so unwise, would you? Solomon mentions heaping coals of fire onto their heads. At the first sound of this, it feels justified to do so. However, he was giving an example of making a person burn with shame at what they are doing or saying to you. Note they may only feel this way if you, keep your cool and act as Jesus would towards them.
Pouring hot coals of shame upon them, instead of having a free for all, is a way of overcoming evil with good. This, as you know, is not an easy thing to do. Once your anger has begun to surface, it can be difficult to hide or control it but, it is possible with practice and, let's face it, as a Christian you get plenty of opportunities for that.
What you are considering here is contrary to your thinking. If you take a look at what Jesus says about it in Matthew 5:43-48, it can seem impossible; but it is not. As believers, we are different, we are not natural, we are supernatural and this is where the difference takes place. You are called to do good to people who hate you and leave their judgement with God; He will repay them, not you. You have to love them.
In fact, you have to unselfishly seek the best of your enemies and pray for them as they persecute you. Why is this? It shows them that you are a child of God, that you are not natural but supernatural, something they are not used to. Think about this for a moment; acting in this way, declares that you are different, you stand out in the crowd. You give a good indication of who you belong to.
Did you get that? Analyse yourself and ask, do I give a good indication of who I belong to? Search your soul with this question and if you feel that you fall short in this area, speak to God about it. He is so willing to help you change this. You will get immediate help.
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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