His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the correct meaning of the commandment “Do not resist evil,” explaining that the meaning is not to let evil spread or to surrender to sin, but rather not to respond to evil with evil or harm with the same harm. The commandment is connected to enduring personal offenses with a spirit of love and patience, not with negligence toward sin or corrupt teaching.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the believer must resist everything that leads him to sin or distances him from the faith, such as false teaching, heresies, and corrupt doctrines, because resisting spiritual evil is a basic duty in Christian life. He also confirms that resisting Satan and sin is part of the spiritual struggle to which the Holy Bible called.

He also explains that there is a difference between personal harm and the rights of God; a person may give up his personal rights with love and humility, but he cannot give up the rights of God or the soundness of faith and correct teaching.

He also discusses that self-defense or resorting to courts does not contradict the commandment, as long as this is done in a spiritual way without ظلم or revenge or harming others.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III gives the example of the Lord Christ, who endured personal insults, but resisted false teaching and rebuked the scribes and Pharisees when they misled the people with their teachings.

Spiritual Message

The main message of the lecture is that Christianity calls a person to endurance, love, and not repaying offense with offense, but at the same time calls him to resist sin, corrupt teaching, and to hold firmly to the upright faith with all strength and wisdom.

Faith Dimension

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III focuses on:

• The necessity of spiritual struggle against sin.
• Resisting Satan and distorted teaching.
• Enduring personal offenses with the spirit of Christ.
• Defending the Orthodox faith and doctrine.
• Balance between meekness and spiritual strength.

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