**Daily Devotional** **August 11** *19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:19-21 (KJV)* This verse is similar to some in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:35), and we are to not avenge ourselves, but let God pour His wrath out on those that do us wrong. God takes it personal when anyone comes against His elect, as He told Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:4). God will avenge us better than we could ourselves, so leave vengeance to the Lord. This is similar to what Jesus commanded us to do to our enemies (Matthew 5:44), and it takes Christ living through us to be able to accomplish this, as it is against human nature. This verse is quoting an Old Testament scripture also (Proverbs 25:21-22), and is how Christians are supposed to deal with those that come against us. The “coals of fire” is talking about bringing conviction on our enemies, as when you respond with love to them, it blows their mind. It is impossible to overcome evil with evil, but you must overcome hate (evil) with love (good), as the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God (James 1:20). This goes against our human nature, and you must die to yourself, and let Christ live through you, to be able to act this way. How hard it is to respond with love, to those that hate us. If you are a born again Christian, you not only can do this, but you must, so that you will shine the light of God into this dark world. If we would all respond this way to hate (evil), with love (good), it would let the love of God shine in this world, as God is love (1 John 4:8). Praise God for giving us His love to share with others. Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com