Proverbs 17:13

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about when we treat others poorly:

Proverbs 17:13

He who returns evil for good,

 Evil will not depart from his house.

It is a reality that people will hurt one another.  We live in a fallen world and in that fall enmity entered the world.  Think of Adam and Eve and the exit from the Garden.  They exited paradise only to run into the state of pain ... their older son murdered the younger.   We will always have evil and hatred in our lives. When we do good to others they may very well reject it and return evil for the good we do.  This is what Solomon is telling us.   Evil people only know how to do evil.   If we do good to them they only know to give evil.   However, Solomon gives us some great comfort in this proverb.   Even though evil people will return evil for good, God knows this and will return evil on their home.   God is watching the way evil and good play out.   Evil will always be dealt with.  Perhaps not immediately, but those who do not return good for good will experience the evil they give to others.   God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that will he also reap. If you have ever had a time in someone's life where you have tried to be good to them; forgive them; love them; stand up to them for God and they have returned that good with evil, than know this: Evil will not depart from their house. That ought to have you on your knees for them.  Evil constantly in their house is not a good thing.   It might be deserved and will be experienced, but it is terribly felt.