When Dealing With The Samaritans

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”Romans 12:21 (ESV)

In John Chapter 4, Jesus provides His disciples with an example of His attitude toward the Samaritans.

Who were the Samaritans, and why did they provoke such strong bitterness among the Jews? Why did the Jews avoid associating with them?

Historically, 2 Kings 17:24 tells of how the Lord rejected Israel during the reign of the wicked King Jeroboam because of their persistent disobedience and neglect of His ways. The Assyrians then captured the people and exiled them to foreign lands. Later, the Assyrian king resettled people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim in the cities of Samaria, replacing the Israelites. These new inhabitants took possession of Samaria and established themselves there. They mixed pagan practices with partial devotion to Yahweh. When the Jews returned from 70 years of exile, they faced fierce opposition from the Samaritans, who worked to obstruct the rebuilding of the temple ruins. It was a challenging task, both physically and emotionally. How would these nations treat the returning Israelites who needed compassion and support after years in a foreign land?

Ezra Chapter 4 shows how the Samaritans became enemies of the Jews. At first, they used flattery to deceive, but soon resorted to slander, accusations, and gossip. Eventually, they took up arms to halt the reconstruction of the temple. Later, they also opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Reading through the historical accounts in Ezra and Nehemiah, it becomes clear why the Samaritans were regarded as adversaries of the Jews, making the Jewish reluctance to engage with them more understandable.

Let’s explore how the enemy’s tactics against God’s work are illustrated through the example of the Samaritans:

Manipulation. These nations approached the Jews, saying, “Let us help you build the temple of the Lord” (Ezra 4:2). But their intentions were far from genuine. Zerubbabel wisely answered with a firm “No.” It’s crucial to set clear boundaries and be resolute against the enemy’s manipulations. Discouragement and obstacles. The enemy seeks to weaken the spirit, drain energy, create obstacles, and stir up discouragement and spiritual apathy (Ezra 4:4). As a result, people start to lose heart, feel small, and give up.

Escalation of conflict. Next, the enemy intensifies situations, drawing in more opponents and using accusations, lies, and gossip to disrupt God’s work (Ezra 4:5-16).

Derailing God’s plans. Ultimately, the enemy seeks to derail God’s work and make our efforts meaningless (Ezra 4:23). The Apostle Paul also tested the faith of his disciples to ensure that his labor was not in vain, despite potential schemes of the enemy (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

How should we respond when confronted with people and situations that seek to disrupt God’s plans for our lives, families, businesses, or divine missions? Our struggle isn’t against mere flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil, working through vulnerable individuals—the “sons of disobedience.” It’s crucial to recognize this! We need to be warriors, not worriers.

Ephesians 6 calls us to stand firm in the face of adversity and resist the world’s deceptions. God does not want us to compromise with evil. Scripture abounds with examples that emphasize the importance of spiritual defenses through prayer. We need people who will stand with us through fasting and prayer against the enemy’s schemes.

How should we respond to those who bring pain and disappointment—our own “Samaritans”? Jesus, in His encounter with the Samaritan woman, gives us a powerful example. Instead of treating her with contempt, He engages her with grace and truth, breaking through deep-seated prejudices. He acknowledges her brokenness and offers Himself as the Living Water that satisfies every thirst. In their conversation, the woman discovered Him first as a Jew, then as a prophet, and finally as the Messiah.

Wounded souls frequently cause damage around them. Yet God calls us to a higher standard—to respond with maturity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. This is a call to supernatural love—a love that disarms and transforms. Why? Because even our enemies are candidates for God’s redeeming grace.

Let’s grow in spiritual maturity. It means letting go of grudges, setting boundaries without bitterness, and loving people who may never love us back. As we do this, we become true worshipers— the kind the Father seeks: those who worship in spirit and in truth.

“Lord, help us not to be overcome by the schemes of the enemy. Grant us wisdom and strength to love those who hurt us and pray for those who oppose us. By Your Spirit, may we overcome evil with good. Amen.”