Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Sept 4, 2024 - Why Revenge Doesn't Work”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsWhy Revenge Doesn’t Work
Reading: Romans 12:17-21
Paul has mentioned the potential of “tribulation”(Rom 12:12) and persecution (Rom 12:14) coming on the Roman Christians; here he addresses their response directly. He repeatedly exposes the futility of revenge. “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all”(Rom 12:17). Revenge doesn’t work because it is solely focused on our own sense of justice. Meanwhile the watching world sees our actions as hostile, aggressive, and dishonorable. Revenge in no way promotes the gospel. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”(Rom 12:18). Revenge is also not peaceable. There are times when peace does not depend on us (or is not possible), but revenge is not one of those times. It is willfully choosing to perpetuate hostilities.
Paul urges us to endure hardship as an act of faith in a just God. “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.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head’”(Rom 12:19-20). Revenge doesn’t work because it is God’s domain. He has promised to right all the wrongs that need addressing; he has not asked for my help. (I suspect that in our aggrieved state we are also not very objective or fair). “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”(Rom 12:21). But the main reason revenge doesn’t work is that it leads us to do evil because others started it. We feel justified in harming others because they have done wrong, but we merely add our wrong to their wrong. We have been overcome by evil rather than overcoming their evil with good.
Revenge takes many forms. We can speak evil about others. We can work to hurt them financially, socially, reputationally, or occupationally. We can show hostility by never speaking to them again. But revenge doesn’t work. Christians “live peaceably with all” and when wronged, “leave it to the wrath of God.”
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One Thing to Think About: How am I tempted to take revenge on those who hurt me?
One Thing to Pray For: Patience and discipline to respond to evil with goodness
