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.
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.
The heart of this message is love one another. And don’t repay evil with more evil. Don’t avenge, insult, or attack back. But leave vengeance for the Lord. Live peaceable and be kind, even to your enemies.
But what about when someone is doing something criminal or illegal? Are we not allowed to defend ourselves?
Or what about when there is spousal abuse, are we need to seek safety?
These are real issues. And people have come to believe that they cannot protect themselves from wrong because of these verses. That they shouldn’t set boundaries. This has brought a lot of heartache into the world.
What the Scriptures are NOT saying is that you shouldn’t protect yourself. If you are being harmed, or someone is doing something illegal, it is appropriate to defend yourself and take legal action. Just read the Old Testament and you will see many situations of what legally to do or not do in certain circumstances.
If you are wife getting hit by your husband, you have ever right to protect yourself and take legal action for that protection.
If someone violates your rights, it is appropriate to take action to stop that behavior. Just read the Old Testament. Trials, disputes and court cases were normal.
Look at Paul. When he was arrested and wrongfully imprisoned, sometimes he took it. But other times he used his Roman citizenship to push back and declare that they had done wrong to him.
Jesus himself did not take being pushed around. The only time he did was when he went to the cross and he knew it was his time to die.
When people were under dire circumstances, the encouragement is to be the voice for the voiceless.
Setting boundaries is not evil. Asking for protection legally is not evil. Looking to stop evil through legal means is not evil. This is righteous even.
What Scripture does say here is not to repay evil for evil. Take appropriate measures if needed. But do not take malicious revenge on a person. Do not insult them back when you are insulted. Do not curse them. Do not seek their harm and destruction.
Appropriate measures of boundaries and defense? Yes.
But malicious behavior back towards them? No.