Aug. 10, 2025

Series: Transformed   8-10-25

How To Respond When Wronged

(Romans 12:17-21)

Romans 12:10 ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one 

another above yourselves.

Romans 12:13 ¹³ Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:16 ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another.

Paul switches gears in vs. 17-21   (v.17) “anyone”

(v.18) “everyone”

(v.20) “enemy”

(Paul addresses BELIEVERS & UNBELIEVERS in Romans 12:17-21)

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN WRONGED:

1. FIGHT YOUR NATURAL ___________________!

Romans 12:17 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

• Responding with evil simply stirs up more ___________!

Romans 12:17 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 ¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel,

2. PAVE A ______________ TO PEACE!

Romans 12:18 ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Matthew 5:9 ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 

PeaceKeepers - _____________ the TRUTH. 

PeaceMakers  - _____________ the TRUTH.

• An _________________ takes two things that don’t mix and holds them together.

Matthew 5:23-24 ²³ Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Definition of peacemaking:

The resolving of conflicts with the truth, by which sin is exposed, 

and addressed, and right relationships established.

Steps to Peace Making:

1.)   Identifying the ________________

• CONCRETE, not ___________________! 

2.)  Exposing the ____________

• EVALUATE, not ___________________! 

3.)   Addressing the ____________     

• CONFRONT, not ________________!

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) ²² the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.

4.)   Establishing _______________ Relationships. 

• CONSTRUCT, not _______________!

** “Confess” (Gk. “Homo / logeo”) – same / agree or admit.

       (Saying the Same Thing about your SIN as God Does)

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

3. LEAVE THE __________________ TO GOD!  

Romans 12:19 ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Romans 12:19-20 ¹⁹ Do not take revenge... ²⁰ On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 

• Kindness is the best way to turn an ___________ into a friend.

Romans 2:4 ⁴ God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Colossians 4:5–6  ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

• “Opportunity” (Kairós) – an appropriate season, opportune time. It is not merely as a succession of minutes, which is chrónos, but a period of opportunity. 

• “Answer” (apokrínomai) - to answer with discretion in relation to preceding circumstances.