Taking Revenge

If you are a believer you are taught not to take revenge but I wonder how many skip that part of the Word and take revenge anyway, taking things into their own hands.  Or, I wonder how many really would like to just get even with someone that continues to rub them the wrong way, but don’t, but you would really like to, or am I the only one that feels that way at times?  

Have you ever heard someone tell you that they love you then cut your feet out from under you, so to speak, by the words that they say and then they turn around and tell you that they love you again, how does that make you feel?  Then after that they say all they’re trying to do is help you or something to that effect.  I think many of us have experienced this on one or more occasion.  I am talking about people that are not your enemies but are supposed to be your friends but sometimes act like your enemies.  Who knows, maybe it is just out of jealousy that they do the things they do and say the things they say.  Or on the other hand maybe it is just what you need to hear and you are not ready to accept it at that particular time.  In any case, we are not to take revenge whether it is on someone that is supposed to be a friend or an enemy.

Read what Paul said about this subject in Romans 12:17-21, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

When we think about taking revenge on anyone, are we walking in the Spirit or are we walking in the flesh?  I think all true believers know the answer to that question!!  But it takes more than just knowing it, it takes living it out in our lives.  The Word says that the world will know that we are Christians by our love.  

We live in a culture where, as time goes on, more and more people seem to not want anything to do with each other.  We don’t trust each other because we don’t know what others real motives are.  But the love of Christ compels us to love even our enemies and everyone else that hurts us and to be a person that forgives one another.  When we take revenge and hold grudges we put ourselves in bondage and the only way that we will be set free is to forgive.  

I’m not saying that this is easy, there have been terrible things happen to people, but the only way to be set free is with the Lord’s help and your willingness to let go and to forgive.  What should help you, if you are a believer, is to remember what the Lord Jesus suffered for you and in the end, even while hanging on a cruel rugged cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  

When we repented of our sins and asked Him to forgive us and to be our Lord and Savior, He forgave us and His precious blood cleansed us from all the sins we committed up to that point, praise the Lord!!  As believers we never have to avenge ourselves, we can leave that up to God who truly knows the thoughts and intents of the heart!!  I have given you something to think about and I hope you will do more than that, I hope you will put this into practice.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a super, super day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for He is worthy!!