This is a somewhat apropos question to be answered upon this, the 10th anniversary of a fateful day when many of us wanted nothing other than to hurt someone back and get even for what they did to our country.
The need or desire to “get even” directly stems from the sin of pride, which is the bases or “root” of all sin. Pride is a mighty adversary to conquer, and sometimes I think it would be far easier to face David’s Goliath than to do battle against pride, because at least then your foe would be standing in front of you instead of hiding within you!
However, the conquering pride is exactly why Christ came into the world in the first place. Jesus “emptied” Himself of His glory and took on human form (Philippians 2:6) in order to show us by His Own example how to overcome the sin of pride and be freed from its tyranny.
Therefore, you can begin to vanquish pride simply by following our Lord’s own example. Never repay an evil deed with more evil. Never seek revenge against someone in anger. To do so is the same as if you were to fight darkness with more darkness and cold with more cold. You will never attain positive results. Just as darkness is conquered with light and cold is combated with warmth, so should you fight evil with goodness, lies with truth, and anger with love!
To repay good for good is to be like man.
To repay evil for evil is to be an animal.
To repay evil for good is to be like Satan.
To repay good for evil is to be like God.
