“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
Several years ago a friend of mine was speaking at a conference where after one of his presentations he was approached by a man who began to verbally attack him over something he had said, or at least something the man had perceived he had said. As my friend’s presentation was not of a subject matter that was especially controversial or political it was probably more the latter, an opinion formed perhaps by age, demographic, and geographical differences rather than philosophical ones. At any rate, my friend managed to maintain his composure during his attacker’s tirade by respectfully acknowledging what he had to say and moving on.
That was not the end of it, though. Later my friend sought the man out and invited him to have coffee. Over coffee they began to chat and realize they had more in common than either would have otherwise imagined, not that they agreed on everything, but at least gained some respect for the other’s views, in a way perhaps even becoming friends.
I have thought about my friend’s story a thousand times since I first heard it, and probably told it almost as many. One, it is so unlike me whose tendency is to strike back when attacked, or else to withdraw and sulk. My friend is a much better man than me in that regard. More importantly, though, I think my friend’s response comes as near to demonstrating true Christian living as any I have ever witnessed or heard; for if we are to live in the image of God, as recipients of God’s grace we should extend that same grace – that same undeserved favor – to others, exactly as my friend had done.
Forgiveness, I am beginning to learn, is not necessarily something we say, it is something we do. Though he never used the word, my friend through his kindness toward his attacker, granted him the favor of forgiveness in the fullest way by transforming an adversarial relationship into one at the very least of friendly respect.
Paul says it clearly, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil . . . If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” (A cup of coffee can do wonders as my friend would attest.) Finally, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”