Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14 NIV
This may be one of the most challenging things we are called to do as believers. Rather than retaliate against those who harm or inconvenience us, we are instructed to bless them. This is contrary to my human tendency to respond in kind and does not come easily.
The Greek word translated as “bless” means “to praise, give thanks to, speak well of, extol.” This is a very positive way to respond to an adverse action taken against me because I am a Christian. To give thanks to the person who laughs at me because of my faith. To speak positively about someone attempting to limit my freedom to serve my Lord. Or to seek forgiveness for the person causing me physical, emotional, or economic harm.
This is likely an impossibility for us on our own. But, fortunately, we are not on our own. The Holy Spirit living within the believer will enable us to bless those who persecute us. It may still be challenging, but we can do it.
But why should we? Why should we bless rather than curse the one who hurts us? First, because it is the example that Jesus set for us. Rather than cursing those who hung him on the cross, he sought forgiveness for them.
And we can bless because what they meant for our harm really works out for our good. Peter tells us we can rejoice in our trials because of their refining effect (1 Pet. 1:6-7). James tells us that our trials develop character and maturity (Jam. 1:2-4). And Paul tells us that our suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Rom. 5:3-5).
Rather than seeing persecution as something negative, we should understand it as a privilege to suffer for Christ (Phil. 1:29). What higher honor could the world give us than to treat us like Christ?
