Hate Evil, Not Evil People
I once visited Somalia and sat next to a Muslim woman who was the single mother to 9 children; eight girls and one boy. I joked with her that, as the mother of two sons, I know one is enough to make trouble!
She laughed and then narrated for me how her 10 year old son was the hope for her future, and that of her daughters. It is imperative he preserve the family honor by being the best Muslim he can be. “Even now,” she said without concern, “he is training with his uncles”. I assumed she meant he was training in the Quran, or perhaps training in combat. So I asked her if she didn’t think he was a bit young to learn some of the harder realities of life.
“No no,” she laughed, “he isn’t fighting. He is learning from the adults how to be a man. They travel to Ethiopia to find a girl for him and then teach him…” she paused, looking for the polite English words, “...how to be a man.” In a split second I considered the worst interpretations I could think and then arrested my imagination, condemning myself for projecting my prejudiced attitudes on her tribe. Assuming I had to have misunderstood I inquired further painting my noble spin over the nauseating reality. Rejecting my rose-colored notions she shook her head. “No, they show him,” she clarified very matter-of-factly, employing graphic gestures still etched in my memory. I sat in rage as I crafted the justice due to these men...these “mentors” of a 10 year old boy.
Hate what is evil
The Greek word for evil is “poneros”. In Romans chapter 12 Paul makes repeated attempts to help us see the difference between evil, the Evil One (Satan), and the evil deeds that are done by humans. First, in verse 9, we are told to hate what is evil. Don’t miss that important grammatical word choice: hate WHAT is evil. Hardly ever do we write theology papers on the word “what” but there may not be a more important word for the Church as we consider our response to the Muslim world. It doesn’t say hate WHO is evil - could any of us escape? It says hate WHAT is evil. This may seem like grammar gymnastics, but let me tell you why you want to hate WHAT is evil and never hate WHO is evil:
Because I am evil. And you are evil. Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Because no one is righteous, not even one.
Jami...come now - I’m not a terrorist! Now THOSE PEOPLE...terrorists are evil.
I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement. (Romans 12:3)
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:10)
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement.
(Matt 5:22)
After looking through this lens of righteousness, I find myself grateful that God makes the distinction in Romans to hate WHAT is evil, instead of WHO is evil.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil
Fine. Hate the evil...not the evil doer. I can almost get my head around that, but then how shall we handle evil? Obviously we can’t be doormats and we can’t permit evil - so what is our response? Paul, the author of Romans, is so glad you asked!
v17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right.
v19 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
On the contrary:
v20 If your enemy is hungry, feed him
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink
I don’t know about you, but this plucks my justice string in a rather violent way. If I am totally honest, I’m not sure how I feel about leaving justice to a God with a rather liberal measuring cup for forgiveness (#JonahToNinevah). I’m also not sure I see the strategy in feeding my enemy - especially if she is rather partial to being my enemy.
Do not be overwhelmed
I have been privy to many more stories like the one I heard in Somalia, and I clearly remember at one point crumpling in the back of a tiny African clinic, crying out to God for some form of justice or at least mercy to help me un-see...to remove from my mind those evils I once denied in blissful ignorance.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12: 21)
My job as an imitator and follower of Jesus is to overcome evil with good and to represent the Truth of God’s complete character to evil-doers; Including the one in the mirror.
Muslim women are coming to know Christ by the hundreds of thousands BECAUSE “Love your enemy” is a principle that is beyond Islamic comprehension. Yet it is one of the most strategic justice devices in God’s toolbox.
Good overcoming evil is not a theory. It’s not one of the options highly chosen by our “tolerant” western societies. It’s not a great art project for hanging over our door-frames.
The Truth of God’s love conquers evil. Every time.