Do Not Resist Evil
In the Sermon on the mountain, the Lord said, “But I tell you not to resist evil.” (Matt. 5:39). That was said with regard to being subject to aggression, so one should not revenge for himself. In the same regard, St. Paul the Apostle said, “Repay no one evil for evil. do not avenge yourselves. ” (Rom. 12:1719).
The Lord Jesus Christ stood silent before the Sanhedrin and before Pilate, without defending Himself; while if He had done, He would have convinced them all. But, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, so He opened not His mouth.” (Isa. 53:7). His refusal to resist puzzled Pilate, so he said, “I have found no fault in this Man.” (Luke 23:14).
Joseph the Righteous, was cast into a pit by his brothers and he did not resist. He was sold as a slave and did not resist. Even when Potiphar put him in prison, he did not resist. He had a strong heart that resisted not. But God in Heaven, saw and witnessed and it was all recorded…
The righteous Abel did not resist his brother Cain.
David the Prophet did not resist Saul.
In the act of non-resistance there is reliance on God the Almighty.
In most cases of resistance, there is self-reliance… The one who does not resist evil has the virtue of endurance within him. He also has the virtue of patience and the faith that God will act and interfere.
In silence, there is submission to God’s will. Mostly, the one who resists could easily be agitated. He gets excited quickly, reacts quickly and answers back quickly. He also quickly loses his love to the one who offends him.
The non-resistance of evil needs souls that are strong: strong in faith and strong in endurance.
I wish you would train yourself to attain this virtue. This does not mean that you abstain from resisting and wait for God to revenge for you? but to remain silent and forget the offence.
Do not react on the outside but even inside train yourself to remain calm without being upset.
Lift up yourself above the offence and lift up your heart to God. Do not revenge for yourself because God alone is your defender.
