Matthew 5:38-42

Do not resist an evil person

1. Face conflict righteously.

   1. Deny yourself.

• verse 42

  1. Avoid evil.

• 1Peter 2:20

  1. Resist evil with good.

     1. The Holy Spirit's commentary on Matt 5:39 = Romans 12:17-21

     2. The Holy Spirit's wisdom from the Proverbs: 25:21; 20:22; 24:29

     3. The Holy Spirit's direction in the Law: Leviticus 19:17-18

1. Manage conflict obediently.

   1. Vengeance is not a personal option.

2. Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19; Heb. 10:30

   1. Respect the authority of the civil government.

3. Romans 13:1-7; Deut 16:19; Acts 22:25

   1. Respect the authority of the church.

4. Matt 18:15-18; 1Thess 5:12-15; Heb 13:7

   1. Respect the authority of the home.

5. Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:1-4

1. At all times be wise as serpents and harmless as doves [Matt 10:16]

   1. Personal ethics and social ethics work by similar but different rules.

      1. Authority and responsibility make a difference.

      2. Personal ethics concerns you especially and is therefore your own particular responsibility.

      3. The Lord tells you as an individual Christian "do not resist an evil person… Give to him who asks you… "

      4. The State, the Church, the family can never function this way or they are breaking God's commandments and inviting criminals to thrive.

   2. Be harmless but not foolish.

      1. Resist evil, but do it with spiritual weapons: Eph 6:13

      2. Defend the helpless with lawful means: Psalm 82:3-4

      3. Flee persecution: Matt 10:23

      4. Guard your heart that you might be harmless: Matt 5:3, 4, 5, 9, 10.

   3. Be a peacemaker; overcome evil with good.

      1. Without the fear of man; Psalm 37:37-38

      2. As much as it depends on you, to the very end

         1. Stephen, Acts 7:60
         2. The Apostles, 1Cor 4:12
         3. Jesus, Luke 23:34; 1Pet 2:23

      3. Follow Jesus: Matt 11:29