Revenge and the Bible
About taking revenge, the Lord teaches, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore,“ if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12: 19-21 also Hebrews 10:30).
Romans 12:19 is a quotation taken from the Old Testament: “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them” (Deuteronomy 32:35). The Lord comfort His people that He Himself will avenge them in right time, “shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him?” (Luke 18:7).
The idea of personal vindictiveness should be discarded by Christians. For in the day of God’s vengeance, the wicked will receive the penalties of their evil deeds. By their lives of sin, they have placed themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10; Revelation 6:15–17). The light of Him who is love will destroy them.
Kindness – the best weapon
Therefore, kindness is the best revenge that a Christian can take against his enemy. Proverbs 25:22 explains it this way, “For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you” for the good deeds done to your enemy.
Taking of revenge is not a sign of strength but of weakness. The one who permits his temper to be aroused and his Christian principles of love and self-control to be set aside experiences defeat. But the person who controls the desire for revenge and turns a wrong done to him into an occasion for offering kindness, wins a victory over himself and over anger.
Kindness is not only a better way but will be much more effective in combating hate. It may neutralize an enemy and win a person. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). The natural man leans to respond with anger, so that the tense situation becomes worse. Only when a true love for others fills the heart can the right soft response be made.
Imitate God
Our heavenly Father is our supreme example. And He has not given to the wicked the vengeance they have deserved, but rather has showered them with love and kindness in Christ (John 3:16). And it is the goodness, patience, and long-suffering of the Lord that lead people to forsake their evil ways (Romans 2:4).
Therefore, the Christian who is being transformed into the image of God (Romans 12:2) will exhibit through dealing with his enemies God’s kindness. His actions will show that he is becoming more and more like God, who is love (1 John 4:8).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
