Intro: Do you believe the Bible? Do you trust God? What about when… *1Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.* *1Pe 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.* -This is extremely counter culture, then and now. Injustice. -Retaliation rarely gives what it promises. -Anger satisfies the flesh. Action satisfies the anger. Action in anger creates regret. Don’t do something you are going to regret. -Stop drop and roll Pro 25:21 - 22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. *1Pe 3:10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 1Pe 3:11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.* -Good “loving life” days begin with your mouth. -Speaking deceit is saying things you don’t mean. -Seek peace (cant we all just get along)-but are you pursuing it? *1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”* -God is looking on those who are walking in Him. -God’s protection is absent and His wrath is present in those who don’t *1Pe 3:13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?* *1Pe 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 1Pe 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1Pe 3:16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.* -Stepping out in faith causes even good people to come against you. sometimes it is to justify inaction or wrong action. Mat 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Mat 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-lawWho do you serve? no fear -When you are weird people will always ask why. -But don’t be arrogant or condescending -Slander and opposition will come. *Conclusion:* -How you see the world determines how you react to it. -When you reflect Christ teachings and His spirit of Love in you, then you will not act in anger because you know who has your back, -watch what you say when you are emotional -and Seek peace and do what it takes to ensure peace. _*Group Questions:*_ 1. Where does “revenge” thought processes come from and what are the negatives to it? 2. How should you react to injustice against you? 3. Why do we struggle with injustice? 4. What are some practical ways that you can control reaction? 5. What are some practical ways that you can be preemptive in controlling actions?