There are many American movies on the television today. The imagination and ingenuity of movie makers are always surprising and innovative. A new American movie coming out soon features the main character who is motivated by vengeance. Vengeance is defined as “punishment inflicted or retribution for an injury or wrong.” Vengeance is often seen as a good motivation in modern American movies, but is vengeance a good motivator for Christians?
We often have many challenges in our lives. None of us are exempt from people in our lives who cause us harm, speak ill of us, or even endanger our lives. However, as Christians, what is our response to those people? Should we seek revenge and vengeance upon those who cause us harm? How should we respond to those who do evil in our lives?
In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul urged his readers to be careful about this issue. He said, “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 NKJV)
As we look around at God’s creation, from the awesome stars and planets in space to the intricate details of the human body, we see a God who knows what He is doing and is capable of doing what is needed. If God knew what He was doing in creation, He certainly knew better than we do and how to manage the issue when someone does evil to us.
So, when someone in our lives causes us harm or does evil to us, let us step back, give this issue to God, and let Him handle it. God is much more qualified and able to oversee the issue than we are! Let it go!
