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Devotionals/If someone hurts you... should you do the same to them?

If someone hurts you... should you do the same to them?

Publication date: March 2, 2026

prayerloveforgivenessdevotional

📖 “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”

— Luke 6:35

🟡 What does this mean?

Jesus asks us for something that seems very difficult: to love even those who hurt us.

In His time, many believed they should repay harm with harm, but He taught a different way: to do good without expecting anything in return.

Today, the world has changed, but the idea of revenge is still alive.

Society tells us:

“Don’t let anyone beat you.”

“If they hit you, hit harder.”

“Make them pay for what they did to you.”

But this mindset does not bring peace… it only increases hatred and violence.

Jesus invites us to break that chain with forgiveness and love, because true love transforms.

🧠 Let's think for a moment

When we respond with the same evil we received:

The problem grows.

Resentment becomes stronger.

The doors to reconciliation close.

When we choose to love and forgive:

The fight ends.

We show that Jesus lives in us.

We can change hearts with our example.

It’s not easy… but it is the path Jesus walked, and He wants us to follow it.

🙌 What can we do today?

Do not respond to insults with insults.

Help someone who expects nothing from you, even if they do not treat you well.

Pray for the people who have hurt you.

Remember that God's love is stronger than revenge.

💬 Phrase to remember

👉 God's love breaks the chain of violence and sows peace.

🙏 Final prayer

Lord Jesus, help me not to follow the ideas of the world that lead me to seek revenge.

Teach me to respond with love, even if it hurts me.

Fill me with your peace and make me an example of your forgiveness.

I want others to see your light and goodness in me.

Amen.

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Devotional illustration If someone hurts you... should you do the same to them?
Tip: read the verse out loud and say a short prayer together as a family.