Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
An old movie entitled El Cid tells the story of the man who united Spain and became a hero because he chose to overcome evil with good. For centuries, a battle raged between the Christians and the Moors in Spain. These two groups hated each other, and much killing took place on both sides during their conflict. In battle, El Cid captured five Moors but refused to kill them because he realized that killing had never done any good. He believed that showing mercy to his enemies would change their hearts. Although, his actions initially earned him the label of "traitor," they eventually worked and he was honored as a hero.
One of the Moors who had been captured said of El Cid, "Anyone can kill, but only a true king can show mercy to his enemies." Because of El Cid's one act of kindness, his enemies offered themselves to him as friends and allies from that point on.
You may be fighting a different kind of battle, but at some point everyone runs into conflicts, hurt feelings, or disagreements. Sometimes people encounter pain of betrayal or deliberate disrespect from others. When these things happen, we have a choice to make; Will we obey God's Word or will we simply handle the situation as our emotions lead us? Jesus says; "But love your enemies and be kind and do good ( doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them)..." We all should encourage one another to obey God and overcome evil with good. Can you think of anyone whom you could show more love to by extending mercy? Is there someone who has treated you wrongly to whom you can be kind? You will find that as you operate in the Grace that Jesus has provided that these small acts just may be one of the most powerful things you have ever done!
An old movie entitled El Cid tells the story of the man who united Spain and became a hero because he chose to overcome evil with good. For centuries, a battle raged between the Christians and the Moors in Spain. These two groups hated each other, and much killing took place on both sides during their conflict. In battle, El Cid captured five Moors but refused to kill them because he realized that killing had never done any good. He believed that showing mercy to his enemies would change their hearts. Although, his actions initially earned him the label of "traitor," they eventually worked and he was honored as a hero.
One of the Moors who had been captured said of El Cid, "Anyone can kill, but only a true king can show mercy to his enemies." Because of El Cid's one act of kindness, his enemies offered themselves to him as friends and allies from that point on.
You may be fighting a different kind of battle, but at some point everyone runs into conflicts, hurt feelings, or disagreements. Sometimes people encounter pain of betrayal or deliberate disrespect from others. When these things happen, we have a choice to make; Will we obey God's Word or will we simply handle the situation as our emotions lead us? Jesus says; "But love your enemies and be kind and do good ( doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them)..." We all should encourage one another to obey God and overcome evil with good. Can you think of anyone whom you could show more love to by extending mercy? Is there someone who has treated you wrongly to whom you can be kind? You will find that as you operate in the Grace that Jesus has provided that these small acts just may be one of the most powerful things you have ever done!
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