Non-Retaliation and Honesty: The Christian's Counter-Cultural Witness

Romans 12:17 demands radical departure from human nature: "Recompense to no man evil for evil." This principle of anantapodosis (non-retaliation) cuts against every instinct for self-defense.

What must we refuse to reciprocate? We must not hate others because they hate us (Matthew 5:44), nor curse them for their curses (2 Samuel 16:10). We must not defraud those who defraud us (Leviticus 19:13) or speak evil of those who slander us (Titus 3:2). Even when others neglect their duty toward us, we continue praying for them (1 Timothy 2:1), pitying their miseries (Romans 12:15), and meeting their necessities (Galatians 6:10).

Why? Because retaliation violates the golden rule (Matthew 7:12) and injures ourselves more than our enemies. Bishop Beveridge teaches that "it is one of the noblest virtues of a Christian to live above injuries." Retaliation assumes Elohim's prerogative alone, and it fails to accomplish its own ends—it only escalates harm.

Instead, we "provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Romans 12:17). This requires intentional practice: think of honest things, intend them, endeavor them, and continue the practice (1 Corinthians 15:58). Toward Elohim: love, faith, trust, fear, obedience. Toward others: truth, equity, love, honor, and intercession. Our transparent integrity stops false accusations and manifests our faith openly (1 Peter 3:16).