Wrongly Said

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 25, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 52.

Wrongly Said.—We frequently hear the expression from some one who has been offended by, or is in trouble with, his fellow-man, “I gave him as good as he sent.” You hear it also from the lips of professed Christians. It is wrongly said. What is really meant is, “I gave him as evil as he sent.” To put it in other words, “He called me a liar, and I called him another.” “He said that I was a scoundrel, and I told him he was a cold-blooded cheat.” “He cheated me; I will get even with him.” There is nothing good about it. There is no Christianity in it. God’s words are, “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.” Prov. 24:19, 20. Jesus said, “Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say to you, Resist not him that is evil.” Matt. 5:38, 39, R. V. The only truly Christian thing to do is to give an antagonist better than he sent. Let your words be winning. “He that winneth souls is wise.” The man who takes his cause into his own hands, who seeks to avenge himself or to exact justice himself, leaves God out of the question, and must stand alone not only with his enemy, whom he may for a time overcome, but alone before God in the great day of judgment. It is better to do God’s ways, to stand with Him here, that He may stand with us there.