egrade man to a lower state. Every evil deed,
word, or thought lowers us in moral being. If some one has done evil
toward us, he has lowered himself by that act; and for us to decide to
"get even" by a similar act toward him is for us to decide that we will
lower ourselves to his level. To "get even" means to get on the same
level. It means to abase and degrade ourselves. If we "get even," we are
as bad as he, and worthy that others look upon us with the same feelings
with which we regard him. If you want to get even with any one, do not
choose some one below you, but some one above you in moral attainments,
and labor to attain to his height, instead of the other's depths. This
will ennoble you, make you better, and be worthy of a reasoning being.

The principle of revenge has no part in Christianity. God refuses to let
us avenge ourselves, no difference what the provocation nor how good the
opportunity for vengeance. He says, "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" (Rom. 12: 19-21). "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (verse 17).
"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that
which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (1 Thess. 5: 15).
When one who is a Christian so far forgets what is right that he stoops to
take vengeance, he is then upon the level of the sinner who did him evil,
and is himself a sinner, and is fallen from his high position to the level
of sin. God forbids us to threaten to "get even" with anyone. "Say not, I
will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man
according to his work" (Prov. 24: 29).

The spirit of Christianity is to render good for evil, blessing for
cursing, love for hatred. The blood of Christ will wash away the "get
even" disposition from us; and until we are thus cleansed, let us not
presume to call ourselves by that holy name of Him who "when he was
reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but
committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Good is stronger than
evil. Evil used against evil, begets more evil; but we may "overcome evil
with good."

I once asked a man why he did not become a Christian. He replied that
the