"But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."

- Romans 12:20

Many have interpreted this verse to mean that by heaping coals on your enemy’s head, you bring him into a greater condemnation and judgment. Does it make sense to first be kind to him and then follow with the condemning of him? There are many verses of Scripture that will not support this view. For example, Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” The idea of heaping coals on the head is to bring your enemy under conviction as he sees you, by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, respond to his evil with good. Nowhere does the Scripture support retaliation on the part of the believer. We are to leave it to the Lord to deal with unrepentant sinners. The Scripture says, “… the kindness of God leads you to repentance.” The Lord, by working through you with acts of kindness to those who oppose you and your Christian faith, can bring your enemy to repentance and to see his need for the Savior. Be encouraged!

Scripture References: Romans 12:20; Romans 2:4