“Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13 AMP
Our verse opens with a warning to those who would pervert and subvert the course of justice and acceptable moral behavior. The word translated “good” is the Hebrew word referring to “that which is or virtue or moral purity; to be desirable, pure, morally good.” There seems to be some confusion on the part of believers about the state of holiness. One is not “holy” because they adhere to a morally pure value. We are mad holy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews tells us,
“And in accordance with this will [of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all.”
Hebrews 10:10 AMP
Do you see the words “set apart as holy?” The word “holy” in the Greek means to be “set apart.” Once a person experiences the conversion of the soul, they are set apart for a purpose. That purpose is to reflect the character of God to a unbelieving generation. The Scripture says,
“14[Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. 15But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];16because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY (set apart), FOR I AM HOLY.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 AMP
It is because we are now holy that we can live a life in moral rightness through the power of the Holy Spirit. You see the state of holiness produces the life, not a life of holiness produces the state! The religious leaders of the day appeared to be holy be their hearts were the furthest form the truth! Our verse today tells us that those who “return” evil for good will face repercussions.
The word “returns” here is the word meaning to “go back or to change from a previous preferable state. The righteous always show the truth about unrighteousness and sin. Jesus reminded us that the light shining from us will elicit a response!
““If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you. 20Remember [and continue to remember] that I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21But they will do all these [hurtful] things to you for My name’s sake [because you bear My name and are identified with Me], for they do not know the One who sent Me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.”
John 15:18-22 AMP
The sinner always wants to return to the darkness to which he is accustomed! We read in the book of John,
“In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines on in the [c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].”
John 1:4-5 AMP
Today, the cry of this generation is to “turn off the lights so no one can see our actions!” We however are called to let our lights shine brightly in a perverse generation. Do not take it personally when the world ridicules you for your stand for what is right! Our response however should not be frustration and anger but a determined action of prayer for those who despitefully use us! Have a blessed day! Pastor Ken