For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.    Romans 13:3-4 NKJV

I have been told there are 365 Scripture passages in the Bible telling us, “Do not fear”. I am familiar with two passages that tell us when we should fear. Romans 13:4 tells us to be afraid if we do evil. Hebrews 10:26 tells us to have a terrifying expectation of the judgment of a fire about to consume the enemies when we deliberately sin.

While today’s legal system is corrupted in many places and there are sadly places where you should fear the authorities, ultimately God is our judge. His holy word warns us against evil behavior.

In fact, there are many Scripture passages warning us against evil behavior. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to abstain from every form of evil. Colossians 3:5 tells us to put to death what is earthly in us such as sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

The Bible gives an example of devastating punishment with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jude 1:7 says, “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

As Christians, we are warned not to repay evil behavior for evil behavior in 1 Peter 3:9 but we are to bless those who come against us so that we may obtain a blessing.

Many people like to take Exodus 21:23-24 to mean that we can seek personal revenge against someone who has done us wrong. That’s not what this passage meant. This passage meant that the judge was to execute a punishment against the offender that was fitting for the crime.

In Matthew 5:38 Jesus told His disciples even though they had heard it said an eye for an eye, they were to turn the other cheek. This means we must practice forgiveness against those who hurt us. We must leave judgment to the judges and those in authority. We have the privilege as Christians to waive our legal right to compensation and forgive the person.

Now I’m not saying we are wrong to file charges against someone who has committed a crime against us, but even when we do, we should turn it over to the law and to the Lord. As Christians, we should forgive that person and allow the law and the Lord to handle it.

We never come out ahead by confronting evil with evil. The Bible actually tells us to do the opposite. In Romans 12:19 we are clearly told not to seek revenge but to leave vengeance to the Lord. In Romans 12:21 we are told not to become overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good.

In my many years here on earth, I have seen some evil people. I have also seen them struck down by the hand of God. You may have heard it said not to take the law into your own hands. I’m telling you not to repay evil for evil. Let God handle it. It always works much better that way. I know this from personal experience.

Our job is to trust in God. Our job is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Vengeance is God’s job (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19).

If you perpetrate against another, be afraid. When we set out to seek revenge we are stooping to the evil person’s level. We are not to do that as Christians. We are to trust in the Lord to take care of it. When we perpetrate evil, we are deliberately sinning.

If you don’t want to face the same punishment as the evil person that came against you, love them and pray for them and leave the rest up to God. Otherwise, be afraid.

Have a great day!