RESPOND WITH BLESSING, NOT REVENGE
THE SEED
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” — 1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
The natural response to hurt is retaliation, but the way of Christ is to bless in return. It takes a Spirit-filled heart to respond to offense with grace. Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, and Stephen prayed for those who stoned him.
Retaliation may seem satisfying in the moment, but it builds walls around your heart and hinders your spiritual growth. Choosing to forgive and bless instead of curse releases God’s power and peace into your life. When you are wronged, respond with kindness. It may not be easy, but God’s grace is sufficient to help you love like Him.
Reflection: Choosing to bless instead of retaliate makes you more like Christ.
BIBLE READING: Acts 7:54–60
PRAYER: Lord, give me a mature heart that repays evil with blessing. Teach me to love like You. Amen.
ÌDÁHÙN PẸ̀LÚ ÌBÙKÚN LÁÌ GBẸ̀SAN
IRUGBIN NAA:
“Ẹ má ṣe fi búburú san búburú, tàbí fi èébú san èébú; ṣùgbọ́n kàkà bẹ́ẹ̀, ẹ máa súre; nítorí èyí li a pè yín sí, kí ẹ lè jogún ìbùkún.” — 1 Pétérù 3:9
Ìdáhùn ti ara sí ìpalára ni igbẹ̀san, ṣùgbọ́n ọ̀nà Kristi ni láti bùkún dípò bẹ́ẹ̀. Ó gba ọkàn tí ó kún fún Ẹ̀mí láti fi oore-ọ̀fẹ́ dáhùn sí ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ tí a ṣẹ̀ wá. Jésù dárí ji àwọn tó kàn án mọ́ agbelebu, Stefanu sì gbàdúrà fún àwọn tó sọ ọ lókùta. Ìgbẹ̀san lè dà bí ìtẹ́raẹnílọ́rùn fún ìgbà díẹ̀, ṣùgbọ́n ó ń mọ́ odi yí ọkàn ká, ó sì ń dí ìdàgbàsókè ẹ̀mí lọ́wọ́. Yíyan idaríjì àti ìbùkún dípò ègún ń tú agbára Ọlọ́run àti àlàáfíà sínú ìgbésí ayé rẹ. Nígbà tí a bá ṣe ọ́ ní àṣìṣe, dáhùn pẹ̀lú ìfẹ́. Ó lè má rọrùn, ṣùgbọ́n oore-ọ̀fẹ́ Ọlọ́run tó.
ÀṢÀRÒ: Yíyan láti bùkún dípò igbẹ̀san mú ọ dàbí Kristi.
BIBELI KIKA: Ìṣe Àwọn Àpọ́sítélì 7:54–60
ADURA: Oluwa, fún mi ní ọkàn tí ó dàgbà tí yóò fi ìbùkún san rere. Kọ́ mi láti nífẹ̀ẹ́ bí Iwọ. Amin.