Christians should always be set apart in the world. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13 Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Christians should be different from the world in everything that they do from the way they speak to the way they work.
When dealing with enemies or others who might do evil to them, Christians have the opportunity to be a shining light in a dark world. Most people when wronged in some way or another want to react back with revenge; however, a Christian should not seek revenge. For instance, what if someone spreads false rumors about you? While it is in our human nature to seek revenge, what if you took a different approach? What if, instead of doing evil, you speak kindly with that person? Although it is impossible to know how anyone will react in any situation, it is very likely that the person who spread the rumors will be shocked by your actions. Not only have you not sought revenge, you went as far as to speak kindly with them. What a wonderful way to display a Christ-like attitude!
I have often heard Romans 12 taught as practical Christianity. Verses 14 through 21 clearly teach how Christians should respond to persecution or evil in their lives:
“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 conceited. 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. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”