Bible Questions and Answers

Romans 12:14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Persecute means to harass or trouble. In Christ we are not to retaliate or resort to foul language when we are harassed or troubled by others. We are to obey Christ’s commandment and love our enemies. The love required has nothing to do with emotion, it is an act of faith.

Matthew 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Romans 12:15,16 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

We are to empathise with others both in joy and in sorrow. We are to be of one mind with fellow believers and not seek to rule over them. We are to be humble in demeanor and not to think our own opinions are always superior to those of others.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
We are not to do harm to others in response to harm done to us. We must be honest in our dealings with everyone.

18  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
As far as we are able we are to co-exist peacefully with others.

19  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

We are not to seek revenge for harm done to us but leave it to the anger of God and in his hands.

20  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

We are to do good to our enemies; so that if they continue to harm us their punishment from God will be the greater.

21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We are not to let evil get the better of us but rather defuse evil with good.

I hope this helps
Glenn