Let's be clear -- it is sometimes not possible to live at peace with someone else. The other person may be unwilling, violent, persistently manipulative, or otherwise acting in bad faith. Whatever else happens, we must not return evil for evil but always seek to join Jesus in overcoming evil with good!

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https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

If we respond to evil with evil, evil wins and everyone else loses. Instead, we must seek to overcome evil in Christ-honoring ways.

- Is there a time you took a step of faith and said "no" to the desire for retribution? How did that decision impact you, the other person, and your relationship with Christ?

- When you struggle with thoughts of revenge, what helps you to take a pause? Talking with other believers? Counseling? Praying? Perhaps the Lord's Prayer and the lines about forgiveness? Something else?

One of the first ways we can worship God as "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1) is to serve one another with the gifts that God has given us. What are these gifts? Which is your gift to give? In addition to this passage, we have 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and verse 28. But these lists are probably not exhaustive. How has Jesus empowered you to join him in serving one another?

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

Did you know that you are gifted? What is your gift?

- Do you know your spiritual gift? Consider today's passage, 1 Corinthians 12, or any experience you have of being used by God to bless others.

- Is there any gift that you are tempted to disregard or to elevate too highly? Take a moment to consider how God has used someone else with an "undervalued" gift to bless you or others close to you.

- How might God be inviting you to define, develop, or deploy the gift you've been given?

Paul encourages us to continue the worship that concluded the previous section. In fact, Paul pleads with his audience to live as if they were living sacrifices. Worship may come to us in many forms but this posture is the foundation of all true worship. True worship is to honor God with our whole lives, not just on Sunday, but the rest of the week as well.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

The call to worship as living sacrifices requires more than information – it requires transformation!

- What are the patterns, customs, and priorities of this world that exert the most pull or pressure on you? Where do you spend your time, treasure, and talents, and why?

- What do you find most helpful to counteract those pressures and to instead have God change the way you think? Is there anything God might be inviting you to do to be more fully engaged with God's transforming work in you?