Latest Devotion
WWJD?
By: John Carrigan
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ESV)
We have all seen WWJD written on wristbands and bracelets, which stands for, "What Would Jesus Do?" When people wear one, they are usually trying to remind themselves to be more like Jesus. It's easy to wear on a wristband, but it's a difficult standard to live by when someone insults, mistreats, or betrays us.
Whenever we're mistreated, our natural instinct is retaliation; to trade insult for insult, to build resentment and hold grudges. But what did Jesus do? Nailed to a cross for sins He didn't commit, He looked at His accusers and prayed for them: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 (ESV)
Following Jesus means choosing to respond the way He did and overriding our impulses. Discipleship isn't about winning arguments; it's about learning to think and love like Christ. Peter wrote to believers that were being mistreated to remind them that even unjust suffering has purpose and meaning. There is higher purpose in our pain and suffering. But how a Christ follower responds to injustice can reveal Jesus to a skeptical world that is watching.
Repaying evil with a blessing (prayer) doesn't mean we are ignoring the wrong; it just means we are surrendering the judgement for it to God. Giving it to God keeps our conscience clear, and our hearts free from bitterness. When people wonder how we can remain gentle and peaceful under attack, our answer is Jesus! I can't say I've always acted like Jesus, but I can say I’m more like Him today than I was yesterday! Our goal isn’t perfection, it's to become more like Christ each day.
But I remember holding a grudge for years... I was also waiting to "pay them back" for what they did to me. Later, I realized it was me who was suffering that entire time! The other person was oblivious because they didn't really care. But after I became a Christ Follower, I realized I couldn’t continue holding on to those feelings. Finally, I dealt with it the way Jesus requires, and I asked that person to sit down and discuss it. God honored my submission to Him (doing things His way) by removing that heavy burden of unforgiveness I'd been carrying around for years.
What about you? Are you harboring unforgiveness or resentment for past hurts? If you are, let them go and give them to God. Then, ask the Lord to cleanse your heart and remove any lingering bitterness. Letting it go is a vital part of being like Jesus!