Psalm 140:9-13

There is a promise that is repeated several times in Scripture: those who plan evil against others are often undone by the very schemes they intended to use.

Proverbs 26:27 states: “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.”

It is the whole “sowing and reaping” principle we see woven all throughout biblical history.

Consider Haman’s murderous plot to take out Mordecai—He ended up hanging on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Psalm 7:14-16 states:

“The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.7.16.NLT

Evil plans backfire spectacularly, for God Himself sees to it. David knew this principle well and appealed to God based on it. Yet it’s important to note that David did not take matters into his own hands—he asked God to intervene.

The Apostle Paul gives us clear instructions on this:

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.17-21.NLT

It’s a tall order, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is something we can grow into. We conquer evil by doing good—something Paul undoubtedly learned from Jesus. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches:

““You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭43‬-‭48‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.43-48.NLT

Jesus died for all people—yes, even the wicked. Our place is to pray that they escape the snares the enemy has set for them.

Paul instructed Timothy similarly:

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.2.24-26.NLT

We pray for others because we do not wish the horrors of hell upon anyone. Jesus Himself affirms that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun:

““Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭40‬-‭43‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.13.40-42.NLT

Consider the weight of Jesus’ words—indeed, those who have ears to hear should listen and understand.