1 Thessalonians 5:15
15 See [horao] that none [me] [tis] render [apodidomi] evil [kakos] for [anti] evil [kakos] unto any [tis] man; but [alla] ever [pantote] follow [dioko] that which [ho] is good, [agathos] both [kai] among [eis] yourselves, [allelon] and [kai] to [eis] all [pas] men. KJV-Interlinear
15 See that no one repays another
with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another
and for all men. NASB
Distinguish the meaning
of evil here.Evil is anything that not
aligned with the principles taught in the scriptures.
Good includes due
process, the legal court system, the arrest and conviction and sentencing of
someone for crimes.This system is not
an application of returning evil for evil.
War, likewise, when
there is a clear distinction between good defending itself against evil. War is also a due process, only on a much
greater scale, for the purpose of defending freedom and such.
Political debate,
athletic competition, and such things, when there is no deceit or unfair play,
are all applications of good.
Evil for evil is
generally referring to a social or business setting, whereby a person attempts
to defraud someone else, or where social or published gossip, or maligning or
revenge take root in the thinking and motivation of a person.
You can see a lot of
this type of behavior on the internet, these days, as it is very easy to
transmit jokes or propaganda, or even bad publicity about someone, with no real
good intention, only ill intent, behind the communication.
It takes greater self
discipline in ones self, to avoid things,
that can come easy, like this.
One on one social interaction, can easily lead to campaigns or crusades of
harassment and harm against others.
You cannot advance or
promote yourself, or even gain any advantage in life, when you have to
accomplish it by means of evil.When you
sow evil, you will only harvest evil back to yourself. And just like weeds in a good field, when you
keep on sowing evil, you eventually destroy the field (meaning that you destroy
yourself).
It is not your place to
judge others socially, even if your evaluation of them is correct.
You are herein
commanded to treat others with respect, tolerance, and poise. Whether you like them or not, whether they
are jerks or not, are all irrelevant.
Previous Page
|
Table of Contents
|
Next Page |
