Heap Coals of Fire on His Head #1

Friday, April 5, 2024

“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” (Romans 12:20 KJV).

What is this, “heap coals of fire on his head?”

Sin, the nature we have inherited from Adam, generates hostility and conflict: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” (James 4:1). Living in a fallen world and connected to a fallen identity, human “civilization” is spiraling downward to self-destruction. Endless wars pit one nation against another. Ceaseless debates antagonize one individual against another. “Why can we not all just get along?!” (The reason is sin, sin, SIN!)

Dearly beloved, the solution to true, lasting peace is not weapons confiscation, signing treaties, imposing sanctions, delivering speeches, or implementing policies. These are man’s futile efforts to fix a broken world—a world just as spiritually flawed as he is. In all the years of innumerable peace summits and countless peace agreements, civil unrest and wars still constantly break out in cities, states, and countries. Most of our political leaders aggravate the situation.

Read verses 1 and 2, the context of today’s Scripture: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Chapters 12–16 are this “renewed mind”—a new way for Christians to think (as opposed to their depraved mental processes before they came to faith in Christ!).

Part of this renewed mind is today’s Scripture in context: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:18-21).

Here is how we should think about our enemies….