TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2016.
REVENGE
To exact punishment for a wrong; a vindictive spirit; to inflict pain or harm; act to retaliate; to return evil for evil.
Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge. I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19.
Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other. I Thessalonians 5:15.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Romans 12:17.
Basic human nature drives most people to want to retaliate when someone does them wrong. This attitude of revenge seems to be for many the justification for a fight or disagreement. Most will tell you that they just wanted to get even, thus the revenge.
An attitude of revenge is not acceptable to God. It is true that almost every day we have situations that brings out our desire to show some revenge. A fellow worker blames you for something at work. A friend betrays you with something he or she says. A spouse causes hurt feelings to the other spouse. For all of these situations, and many more, your natural response is to consider a revengeful action even if it is only verbal.
When one tries to even the score and get revenge it starts a vicious cycle. Every act done to retaliate and get revenge on someone who has wronged us only results in another act of retaliation. Usually each act of revenge is more severe than the previous one.
We have noticed that people who are in a deteriorating relationship have a strong tendency to bring up “ancient history” and recall all of the wrongs and hurts of the past. The result is that no one will ever “win.” In the verse above from Romans we are told to let the Lord be our avenger. He will punish with justice and fairness in His perfect timing. God expects us to respond to those who mistreat us with kindness and forgiveness and not repay evil for evil (verse above).
This is hard to do because of our sinful nature but if we want to live a life honoring God by our words and deeds, we need to take the initiative and make things right. Jesus commanded us in John 15:13 to love one another just as He loved us. To love as Jesus loved we must be willing to forgive. Forgiveness is more than saying words but it involves attitude and actions.
Paul tells us in the verse above to always try to do what is good for each other. When you respond with love and an understanding attitude it will make a lasting impression on the one that wronged you because that is not the norm. Learn to, as the saying goes, “bite your tongue” because it is hard to continue a fight when there is only one fighting. Let God take care of things for you.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Revelation 3:20.
Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with Me.
Help me to be responsive to wrongs done to me with a spirit of love. Keep me from returning evil with evil. May I become more like You daily and may others see Christ in all my words and deeds. Thank You for giving me an attitude of forgiveness as I face wrongs given to me in my life.
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