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Key Bible Verse: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Bonus Reading: Romans 12:17-20

"Where the strong prey on the weak, loving your enemies can seem self-destructive. Rodney stole my radio and headphones while I was in the prison yard playing volleyball. I had no way to prove it and, since we couldn't receive more gifts at the time, couldn't replace them.

The old Roy wanted to knock that wisecrack grin off Rodney's face. That's how I had solved my problems in the past. God's been teaching me another way, however, since I became a Christian. He tells me vengeance is His. I decided to pray for Rodney.

Later, my job as a prison law clerk took me to the confinement cells. Rodney's days of stealing from other prisoners had caught up with him. As I passed his cell, he asked if I remembered him.

"Sure, you're the guy who stole my radio."

"That weren't me," he lied.

"That's all right, Rodney, I forgive you." I forgot about Rodney stealing my radio and thought more about the fact that Jesus loved him. Soon I found myself helping Rodney and telling him about Jesus. Then one day I saw him kneeling next to his bunk reading the Bible, and I knew that good had overcome evil.

—Roy Anthony Borges in Discipleship Journal

• Do you need to leave vengeance in God's hands?

Thought to Apply: Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate.

—CORRIE TEN BOOM (DUTCH SPEAKERS AND CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVOR)

Credits: Adapted from—Monday: Discipleship Journal (9-10/98)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail mail@menofintegrity.net.
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