The Bible teaches about justice and vengeance, leaving room for God’s ultimate authority. Today, we will see what Scripture says about avenging and trusting God to handle matters beyond our control.
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What Does The Bible Say About Avenging
Deuteronomy 32:35
“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is, at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.”
This verse emphasizes that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice and vengeance. It reminds us that it is not our role to seek revenge or take matters into our own hands. Instead, we should trust in God’s timing and justice, knowing that He will repay and bring justice upon those who deserve it in His perfect timing.
Seeking revenge can often lead to a cycle of violence and bitterness. By leaving vengeance to God, we can find peace and trust in His ultimate justice.
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
This verse reiterates the importance of not seeking vengeance but instead fostering love and forgiveness towards others. It serves as a reminder that harboring grudges and seeking revenge goes against the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
By choosing to love and forgive others instead of seeking revenge, we can promote peace and unity in our relationships and communities.
Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””
This verse echoes the sentiment shared in previous verses, emphasizing that revenge and vengeance are not our responsibility. We are called to trust in God’s justice and relinquish the desire for personal retribution.
By allowing God to handle matters of justice, we can free ourselves from the burden of seeking revenge, knowing that He will repay accordingly.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.”
This verse advises against the temptation to seek revenge or repay evil. It encourages patience and trust in the Lord’s deliverance.
Waiting for the Lord to act allows us to align our hearts with His will and rely on His perfect timing for justice to be served.
Matthew 5:39
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
This verse challenges us to respond to evil and injustice with love and compassion rather than seeking retribution. It highlights Jesus’ teachings on non-violence and turning the other cheek as a radical act of peace.
By choosing to respond with love instead of seeking revenge, we can break the cycle of violence and demonstrate the transformative power of forgiveness.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this, you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
This verse encourages us to respond to evil not with vengeance but with acts of kindness and blessing. It reminds us that our calling as followers of Christ is to overcome evil with goodness.
Choosing to bless those who have wronged us allows us to break the cycle of revenge and show the love of Christ in the face of adversity.
Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
This powerful teaching from Jesus challenges our natural inclinations for revenge by instructing us to love and bless our enemies. It calls us to extend grace and mercy even in the face of hatred and mistreatment.
Praying for those who have wronged us allows us to release any desire for vengeance and instead foster a heart of compassion and forgiveness.
Romans 12:20
“On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.””
This verse offers a radical approach to dealing with enemies by suggesting acts of kindness and mercy. By meeting our enemies’ needs, we can overcome evil with good and potentially inspire a change in their hearts.
This approach goes against our natural instincts for retaliation but aligns with Christ’s teachings on love and forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God, in Christ, also has forgiven you.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of letting go of bitterness, anger, and malice. It urges us to be kind and forgiving, just as God has forgiven us through Christ.
By choosing forgiveness over revenge, we embody Christ’s love and extend the same grace we have received from God to others.
Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I will do to them as they have done to me; I will pay them back for what they have done.’”
This verse cautions against seeking revenge and paying others back for the wrongs they have committed against us. It reminds us that revenge is not our responsibility and can lead to a never-ending cycle of harm.
Choosing to let go of the desire for revenge allows us to break free from the bondage of anger and find true peace.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
This verse encourages us to resist the temptation to repay evil with evil. Instead, we are called to actively pursue opportunities to do good and show kindness to others, regardless of how they may have treated us.
Responding to evil with good is a powerful way to overcome darkness and manifest the love of Christ in our lives.
Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
This verse teaches us the principle of repaying evil with kindness. By meeting the needs of our enemies, we not only confuse and potentially soften their hearts but also demonstrate obedience to God’s command to love our enemies.
Ultimately, when we choose kindness over revenge, we open ourselves up to experiencing the blessings and rewards of the Lord.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
This verse underscores the importance of forgiveness in the life of a Christian. It reminds us that to receive God’s forgiveness, we must extend forgiveness to others, including those who have wronged us.
Choosing to forgive instead of seeking revenge allows us to experience the freedom and restoration found in God’s forgiveness.
Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
This verse emphasizes the radical nature of Christ’s love by calling us to love our enemies and do good towards them without expecting anything in return.
Choosing this sacrificial love over revenge allows us to embody the character of God and reflect His kindness to a world in need of His grace.
Colossians 3:13
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
This verse reminds us of the necessity of forgiveness in our interactions with others. It encourages us to bear with one another and extend forgiveness, just as Christ has forgiven us.
By choosing to forgive rather than seek revenge, we can cultivate unity, peace, and reconciliation in our relationships.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This verse challenges us to love our enemies and specifically pray for those who persecute us. It goes against our natural inclination to seek revenge and encourages us to respond with love and prayer instead.
Praying for our enemies softens our hearts and aligns our desires with God’s will, allowing His transformative power to work in every situation.
Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil.”
This verse recognizes the reality of anger but highlights the importance of not letting it lead us to sin or seek revenge.
By addressing and resolving our anger before the day is over, we can prevent the enemy from using it as an opportunity to sow discord and hinder our relationships.
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of covering and forgiving offenses rather than seeking revenge or gossiping about them.
Choosing love and forgiveness over vengeance allows us to preserve and strengthen our relationships, promoting unity and harmony.
Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
This verse serves as a reminder that God is just and will bring about consequences for our actions. It discourages seeking revenge by reminding us that we will reap what we sow.
Trusting in God’s justice helps us let go of the desire for revenge and commit to a life marked by love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
This verse highlights the importance of showing mercy to others. It reminds us that as we extend mercy and forgiveness, we will also receive mercy from God.
Choosing mercy over revenge enables us to experience the fullness of God’s grace and exemplify His character to the world.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse encourages us to resist the temptation to retaliate or seek revenge when faced with evil. Instead, we are called to overcome evil with goodness.
By responding to evil with good, we demonstrate the transformative power of God’s love and inspire others to choose the path of forgiveness and reconciliation.
1 Peter 2:23
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
This verse describes the behavior of Jesus when faced with insults and suffering. He did not seek revenge or make threats but instead entrusted Himself to God, who judges justly.
Following Jesus’ example, we can choose to trust in God’s perfect justice and refrain from seeking revenge, knowing that He sees and will ultimately judge all things.
Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
This verse exhorts us to resist the temptation to seek revenge but instead strive to do what is honorable and pleasing to all. It emphasizes the importance of our actions reflecting the character of Christ.
Choosing to do what is right and honorable, even in the face of evil, allows us to stand as a testimony of God’s grace and love.