Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:14-18
Oh how un-human nature is this list. This takes spiritual maturity to live this way, because it requires the heart of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. When people persecute you, bully you, say all manner of untruths about you, and meanly gossip about you … can you ‘bless’ them … genuinely? At the very least we naturally want God to smite them … hard! Yet the heart of Christ understands the evil they are under and also the love of the Father for them when He created them. This is definitely on another dimension of emotional security.
The next part is easier for most in that if we are true friends we rejoice with others and mourn and weep with those who weep. But evil roots such as jealously, envy, and pride can get in the way of these empathetic feelings. Our emotions are God designed and given for our ability to understand with greater depth, and to love with greater intimacy and purpose. This verse also deals with character maturity in that it is ‘others’ focused rather then self focused. We should genuinely want to understand and be connected to others.
Do you live in harmony with one another? This is a call to right the wrongs in relationships. To go and make things right before trying to give God an ‘offering’ or gift. For He sees the ‘real’ issue going on in us … and those things that need to be made right. For us to ignore those things within us is self deception and will eventually breed more evil and sin. Are we very sensitive to the Holy Spirit to be working on those things He has pointed out to us that need to be cleared up? You can only really live in harmony with one another IF you have dealt with any nagging little grudges or hurts with the relationship that you have towards another. Forgiveness needed? This little statement of living in harmony has huge implications. Ask the Holy Spirit which relationships need … some mending on your part.
The direct Greek word for word translation of this next section is interesting. It follows … ‘The same thing toward one another minding, not things haughty minded, but with the lowly going along. Not be wise in yourselves.’ What exactly is ‘haughty’? The Greek word here is hupsélos which means conceited, exalted, high, highly esteemed, uplifted, and of course haughty. Obviously we all know people and positions like this, and the way they think. This should not be us. Why? He is calling us to associate with the ‘lowly’. Who exactly are the lowly? Here the Greek word is tapeinos which means properly, low; (figuratively) inner lowliness describing the person who depends on the Lord rather than self. It also means to be humble and being God-reliant rather than self-reliant – which ironically always exalts a person. It has also been translated ‘meek’ which is close the the 8th fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This characteristic actually is developed in a person the closer they come into the Presence of God, and rightfully understand their place, which leads into the next statement of ‘never being wise in your own sight’. God wants us to ‘run’ with those who know Him and honor Him, and understand with humility where they actually stand in God’s evaluation of them.
Not being ‘wise’ in ourselves definitely has humility as the base of the concept. Understanding that we really don’t ‘know’ everything and are remaining humble before Him and allowing Him to guide us rather than our own ‘pride’. Do you know everything about every situation? Who does? God. Are you open to hear His advice on any given situation, circumstance, or problem? Or are you leading and or reacting with your own pride?
All of this is probably why He doesn’t want us to repay anyone with evil, even though they are certainly casting evil at us. And for us to have the self-control to ask the Holy Spirit what to do in those situations. We shouldn’t react but respond the way He is leading us to. To respond in honor and respect when it certainly wasn’t given to you — shows everyone else who your actual Master is. They will know we are Christians by our what? We are to put off the ‘old nature’ and put on the ‘new’ fruit of the Spirit. All of this is spiritual maturity and takes discipline and refining time.
Look to be at peace with everyone — even though they definitely are not at peace with you. But as for your ‘part’ …you should be in the fruit of peace in dealing with everyone .. if possible. Obviously there will be times where you may have to defend the health and well being of another. As a dad — I understand these things.