Revenge! Even the sound of the word makes me shudder. It is a horrendous driving force that is out of control. It is the old “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” philosophy: “You kill my dog; I’ll kill your cat.” It is vengeance that is passed from generation to generation until, like the “McCoys and the Hatfields” no one even remembers why the feud began.
Revenge originates with hate. To get rid of it, you have to go straight to the root. Like an octopus, its tentacles reach out in every direction. Take ownership and responsibility for your “stuff.” Deal with the baggage you have either inherited or picked up. Intervention requires an act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a decision.
Romans 12:19
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
Jesus did not only teach His disciples to “turn the other cheek;” He demonstrated it on the cross. Numerous references in the Scripture declare that vengeance belongs to God.
- Trust God. When we take matters into our own hands, we are saying that we do not trust Him to take care of His business.
- Put your gun down. Retaliation is like the outlaws in the old Wild West movies taking the law into their own hands, instead of allowing the sheriff and the judicial system to take its course. God will not pick up the sword until we lay it down.
- If you have been living in a place called, “Revenge,” get on your horse and ride! In other words, “Get outta Dodge!” Don’t hang out in “Revenge” unless you’re looking for trouble.
- Analyze and examine the motive behind your words and actions. Are you shooting bullets or planting seeds?
- Read Psalm, chapter 94. How long will God let the wicked triumph? The answer is found in these twenty three verses.
“Be strong, fear not, and behold your God will come with vengeance … He will come and save you.” Psalm 35:4