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Vengeance
June 5, 2021
As we live our life and interact with others, from time to time we will come across people who treat us badly. It’s humanly normal to immediately jump to the idea of seeking revenge when we are treated wrong and for Christians, we also know revenge is something we do not seek. Pop culture is filled with the concept of revenge and vengeance. On American television there is the reboot of the old series, The Equalizer, about a person who gets even on behalf of a wronged person. There are the Avenger superheroes, and on British television, there was the Avengers television show.
While part of pop culture, it is not our place to avenge ourselves through acts of vengeance. If we are criminally wronged and we seek to avenge ourselves, we most likely will face criminal consequences for our actions. If we are civilly wronged and we seek to avenge ourselves, we very likely will face civil liability for our actions. In this present world, even though vengeance is part of pop culture, seeking vengeance can cause us criminal and civil problems. Similarly, when we seek vengeance, we create spiritual problems for ourselves, because we take something that belongs to God for our personal benefit.
Paul tells us we are not to have an inflated self-concept of who we are. It is when we have an inflated self-concept of who we are that we are much more likely to place ourselves in moral positions of authority over others. Instead we are to consider ourselves no different than the poorest people who are part of our life. More importantly, we need to realize because we live in a world that is Satan’s world, from time to time, people will either intentionally or unintentionally commit acts of evil against us. The best way to think of the type of evil that Paul is writing about is not the infamous serial killer kind of act of evil, but anything done that hurts us, even if just imagined by us, in any way.
Paul directly tells us to NOT avenge ourselves even when we are very angry about what happened to us. Vengeance belongs to God who will repay others according to His plan and will for them, as others bring evil to us. Instead of seeking to repay evil with evil, we are to overcome evil with good giving this person a crisis of their conscience.
Romans 12:14-21
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
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.
What Paul was explaining in Romans, was a concept taught by Jesus early in His earthly ministry, how instead of seeking revenge, we are to practice patience and tolerance, explaining that we must also love our enemies if we wish to become perfect like our Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
When Jesus was referencing an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, he was quoting passages from Leviticus and Exodus. In Leviticus it seems like the law of the land was one of vengeance, where if somebody was harmed, the same harm would come to the person who brought the harm.
Leviticus 24:17-22
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.
And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.
And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
The passage from Exodus shows a similar vengeance climate, and also highlights eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth punishments. The passage from Exodus shows that some issues we see today, like human trafficking, were problems thousands of years ago.
Exodus 21:12-25
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:
If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
During this time where eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth was practiced, the people were also told to not hate other people, and to not see themselves as morally superior where they felt empowered to rebuke others. They were also told to not avenge themselves or to hold a grudge, but instead were to love their neighbors as themselves.
Leviticus 19:15-18
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Seeking revenge is a normal part of the human mind and it cannot be part of our mind when we have the Holy Spirit. It is not us who avenges. It is God and Jesus Christ Who avenge. It is through the righteous judgment of God that He will repay people with trouble who seek to trouble us. It is Jesus Christ who upon His return to earth will seek vengeance on people who do not know God or obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught the importance of not taking action with an expectation of repayment. He used an example of having a dinner party and inviting people who also invite you. Jesus explained that when they invite you to their dinner party, you will have been repaid. Jesus then adds that it is best to invite people who have no capacity to repay because in so doing you will not be repaid by them, because they are unable to repay. It will be God who repays at the resurrection of the just.
Luke 14:12-14
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
In finishing his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reminded them of many things, including to avoid a desire to repay evil and to abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Going back to Deuteronomy, we see that God avenges His people and can make it possible to overcome insurmountable odds. It is God Who can repay evil to evil people. It is God Who owns vengeance and revenge because it is God Who is righteous in judgment.
Deuteronomy 32:26-36
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.
For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
As we live our spiritual life, we must remember we live within this present world under the authority of Satan and ruled by man. The laws we live under seek vengeance and revenge. As Christians we must spiritually live beyond these laws while understanding we are also subject to the penalties of these laws. Paul advised the Romans to do good so that they would have the praise of the people.
Romans 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
In one of His parables, Jesus gave the example of a widow who frequented the judge of the city because she sought justice, and asked him to avenge a wrong that had been committed against her. For the longest time the judge ignored the widow and the widow did not give up. The judge came to realize if he did not take action, this widow would not go away and would be constantly asking for this wrong to be avenged. The judge then decided to act on her claim.
Jesus then explained that just like this judge sought vengeance on behalf of this widow, God will avenge His elect who cry out to Him. We can glean from this that as Christians, we will be wronged in our life. We can expect that. We can also expect that when we bring our concerns to God the Father, He will hear us and when necessary, avenge us. Jesus then asked a rhetorical question, if He would find faith on earth? If we have bad situations in life caused by the actions of others and we do not take the concern to God, it is like we have no faith. When we seek to avenge a wrong committed against us, it is like we have no need for faith, because instead of relying on God, we will take care of the situation ourselves.
Luke 18:1-8
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
In the Book of Revelation during the fifth seal, John saw in a vision the souls of the people who were slain for the word of God, and how they cried to God to avenge their life.
Revelation 6:9-11
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
In Ezekiel, God talks of vengeance on those who harm His people. He shows that because the Philistines acted through revenge and spite to bring destruction, that He would destroy the Philistines and Cherethims using vengeance to fight vengeance in an ultimate rebuke to the people to remind them of Who God is.
Ezekiel 25:15-17
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Jeremiah wrote to the people to flee from Babylon so that they would not be cut off in the iniquity of Babylon, because the time of God’s revenge had arrived. Jeremiah showed how Babylon had been established by God. He also showed how Babylon had used its power to weaken other nations creating anger among the nations. The evil of Babylon had risen to the throne of God who decided to bring other nations against Babylon to destroy it in an act of vengeance.
Jeremiah 51:6-14
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.
O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.
When we take vengeance upon ourselves and render evil for evil, we commit an act of judgment, and it is not our place to judge others as there is plenty wrong with each of us. Instead, we are to trust God will righteously judge each situation knowing that God will bring all to judgment, especially those who condemn what they themselves practice. Instead of expecting immediate retribution for wrongs committed against us, we are to realize that it is through extreme patience that God leads all people, including those who have wronged us, to repentance.
When we seek immediate retribution, when we seek revenge and vengeance, we despise how God works with other people. We deny an understanding that God repays to each person according to their works, Who will repay evil for evil and good for good.
Romans 2:1-11
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
For there is no respect of persons with God.
When Jesus spoke of His return to earth with the angels, He spoke of this being the time when God the Father would reward every man according to his works. This reward that Jesus spoke of that we all look for is from Strong’s Greek word 591, apodidomi. It’s also translated as restore, repay, recompense, and render. When we seek vengeance on others on our terms, it’s almost like we wish damnation on others because it’s almost like we don’t want God the Father to ever bring this other person to a point of repentance where eternal life could be a gift that is part of their reward.
Matthew 16:24-28
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Throughout the Bible and especially in the New Testament, we are reminded of how it is not our place to seek vengeance when we are wronged. Peter again reminded us of this telling us it is not our place to repay evil for evil, but to instead render a blessing to others when they give us evil, because we are called to inherit a blessing. This begins with a compassionate and courteous mind that can have pity on others. We are not to repay evil for evil. We are to hate evil and do good. We are to repay evil with good. We are to maintain a good conscience in all we do.
1 Peter 3:8-17
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Psalm ninety-four shows that vengeance belongs to God, Who is judge of the word, Who rewards people according to their works. People who commit acts of evil will answer to God Who will protect His people. As long as we are among God’s people, it is God Who is our refuge and defense.
Psalm 94:1-23
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
It is God to Whom vengeance belongs, Who deserves praise. We can take pleasure in how God defends and is the refuge for His people, knowing that God will use vengeance to punish those who commit acts of evil.
Psalm 149:1-9
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
We do live in a world that is based on vengeance. When evil happens or is perceived to have happened, vengeance is expected. Vengeance is such a great part of our life that it is part of pop culture with superheroes and television shows. Getting even, having an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is still part of life today. For Christians, we are called to a life beyond vengeance and instead must practice forgiveness knowing that it is not our place to seek vengeance, because vengeance belongs to God Who can righteously judge.
All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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