When you seek revenge, be sure to dig two graves. How true! Yet, in our humanity, we sometimes try to make everything on earth today right. For some reason, we see justice, especially when a serious wrong has been done to us, personally, as an individual duty. There is not a human who has ever lived on this earth who has not had some unfair wrongs done to him. We all have been hurt, mistreated, misunderstood, envied and sometimes even been despised by others. How we handle those situations really reflects on our spiritual maturity. I wish that were not true, because honestly, I do not always handle being mistreated as God instructs. Thank God, growth in this area is possible. Let’s delve into this serious subject.
Synonyms for Vengeance
Interestingly, the verb often translated “vengeance” comes from a compound Greek word: “ek” meaning out of and “dikeo” meaning penalty or punishment. Literally, when put together, vengeance is “carrying out a punishment” on another. So essentially vengeance is punishing someone for what they have done to us or what we perceive they have done to us. “Retaliation,” “Payback,” “Punishment” and “Eye for eye” are all synonymous terms for this sinful action.
Scriptures on Vengeance
The Bible is inundated with this topic. Obviously, this is because mankind is prone to want to pay back those who have hurt him. An inspired penman, who knew about retaliation personally (see John 18:10), wrote, “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9 NKJV). Ironically, Peter’s inspired words were originally penned to Christians who were unfairly suffering for their faith. It is certainly one thing to be faithful when others treat us well, but oh what a different challenge when mistreatment comes our way! A man well acquainted with unjust suffering and troubles wrote by inspiration, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). The Christians who would have originally received these words lived in an empire that was all about repaying and retribution. Paul was clear; do not become like the world around you (Romans 12:1–2)! The inspired wise man penned, “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you” (Proverbs 20:22). Loads of other inspired texts could be given because God knew there would be times that we all would struggle with revenge.
Success Over Vengeance
How can we grow and mature more fully to not be vengeful people? While I am certainly a work in progress in this area too, there are some scriptural and practical helps to guide us all. Firstly, success over vengeance begins with our demeanor. Tenderness and compassion are easily voided if we view ourselves as a victim. “Poor me” or “Can you believe this person did that to me” is not a healthy way to live life. Christians are by our very spiritual nature kind and tender people. However, those demeanors do not automatically attach themselves to us in baptism. It is a daily duty to allow situations to help us become better rather than bitter. A second important help in being successful over vengeance is discernment. Discernment is having insight into life. We need to understand and discern the fact that life is not fair (see Ecclesiastes 9:11). I wish this were not true, but it is. From the small child on the playground who is pushed down by a bully to the adult at work who does not get the deserved promotion, life is filled with injustice. Discerning the fact that things in life will not always be just or right helps us to deal properly with difficult things that come our way. Ultimate and perfect justice only occurs in the Lord’s verdicts!
A third help in being successful over revenge involves a decision. Simply put, it is a decision to not allow yourself to be a vengeful and resentful person. It is our choice whether we will allow God to be the final Judge and Sentencer (Romans 12:19) or if we will attempt to take a role that is not ours. Everything will be perfect and just in the final analysis, but we must trust God enough to allow Him to do what He has promised. Lastly, an excellent help to be successful over revenge is delivery. Simply stated, give your hurts and pains to the Lord! Peter lovingly reminded, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Cast” here literally means to throw upon. Picture, if you will, all the past things that have unfairly happened to you, place them in a bag and throw that bag in the Lord’s lap. That is what He instructs us to do. It is spiritually refreshing to give our struggles of any nature to our compassionate God.
I read somewhere that “vengeance” and “revenge” are just two words for pain. How observant! Do not allow yourself to dig two graves by nursing an injustice that has been done to you. Move on, move past and allow God His rightful place as the Judge and Jury! “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
