Killing Them with Kindness
Since in Adam’s fall, we sinned all. One consequence of that fall is that we naturally assume we know better than God how life ought to be lived. We tend to regard our instincts, desires, and reactions as “normal,” and therefore right. This is a form of what philosophers call the naturalistic fallacy—the mistaken assumption that because something is natural, it must therefore be good.
But in a fallen world, what is natural is not necessarily righteous. The Apostle Paul writes:
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7–8).
This fallen nature reveals itself in countless ways. When someone curses us, we naturally want to curse them in return. When insulted, we want to answer insult with insult. When struck, we want to strike back. We instinctively seek retaliation. We want to get even. We tell ourselves that we’re pursuing justice, though often what we really desire is vengeance. Interestingly, when the offense is our own―when we have sinned against God or our neighbor—we suddenly discover a profound appreciation for mercy.
The gospel calls us to something entirely different. Christ doesn’t command us to follow our fallen instincts; He commands us to walk by the Spirit. The Christian life isn’t characterized by natural responses but by supernatural ones. Jesus said:
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. ―Luke 6:27–31
The Apostle Paul echoes the same teaching:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.... Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ―Romans 12:14–21
The natural man responds according to the flesh. The Christian is called to respond according to the Spirit. One returns evil for evil; the other overcomes evil with good. One seeks personal vengeance; the other entrusts judgment to God. One is governed by fallen instincts; the other by faith. The world regards such behavior as weakness. Scripture calls it obedience. Indeed, it’s one of the clearest evidences that God’s grace is at work in a person. Anyone can love those who love them. Anyone can repay kindness with kindness. But to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who mistreat us, and to do good to our enemies, this isn’t natural, it’s supernatural. It is the fruit of Christ living in His people.
The measure of Christian maturity isn’t found in how we treat our friends, but in how we treat our enemies. The flesh always demands retaliation, but the Spirit teaches us to entrust ourselves to the righteous Judge. Every time we refuse to return evil for evil and instead overcome evil with good, we bear witness to a kingdom that is not of this world and to a Savior who, when He was reviled, didn’t revile in return. Such responses aren’t natural; they’re the work of God’s grace in the hearts of His redeemed people.