REVENGE: To avenge oneself or another usually by retaliating in kind or degree.
We have all thought about it. You know, the pay back, retaliating, get even, revenge. Someone has done something or we perceive that they have done something to hurt us or a loved one. We spend hours, sometimes days, plotting out how we could pay them back. Sometimes we act on it, other times we just think about it in our minds.
It never feels good when someone hurts us or someone we love. It puts a pit in our stomach, makes our blood pressure rise, and we get angry. We hate that they have done something to us, and we think of all the ways we could, would, or should respond. Most of the time, we think of the words or deeds we could do to get them back. But is that what we really should do?
You have heard the old saying, turn the other cheek. Where did that come from? Who thought of it? and why would I ever get insulted or hurt and just turn the other cheek so that they could do it again? I would have to be crazy!!! Or, I would be doing what God called us to.
Matthew 5:38-40 says,38"You have heard that it was said, an Eye for an Eye and a tooth for a tooth, 39 but I tell you, do not resist an evil person If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer them the left also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."
I'll be honest with you, this is not the first thing I think of when I am hurt, but it is what God has called us to. How do we do this? How do we not want revenge when we have been hurt? Well, that is what we learn in the Bible. It tells us to not seek revenge, to offer the other cheek so to speak. This does not mean that if someone strikes you that you should just let them. We have laws against that.
I think what is being said in this verse is to let it go. Don't seek revenge, don't retaliate, Don't pay kind for kind. God wants us to be at peace with one another and to love others as we love ourselves. I know, I know. How do you love someone if they lie to you, hurt you, or hurt a loved one? Well, we love the way Christ first loved us.
All throughout the Bible there are verses in reference to the way Christ loved instead of revenged. With the pharisees He did it quite a few times. One of my favorites verses that speak to forgiving others as God forgave us is Isaiah 1:18. 18 "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they shall be like virgin wool." Wow. My sins are forgiven, no matter how ugly they may be.
There are many verses that speak to forgivness such as, Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 17:3-4, Ephesians 4:31-32, 1John 1:9, Acts 3:19. and the list goes on. You can of course look them up in your concordance or you can google them. So many that speak to that forgiveness. God will take care of the situation, if we just give it over to Him and allow Him to work. Romans 12:19 speaks to revenge saying, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is Mine to avenge, I will repay," says the Lord.
Now don't get all excited saying, woohoo, go get 'em God. We are not to feel that God is going to rain down fire and brimstone on those who hurt us. This is an unforgiveness still speaking in our hearts. We are to forgive that person who hurt us, and to walk in forgiveness towards them. If we wish ill on them, we have not truly forgiven. If we rejoice in their folly, we again are not walking in forgiveness.
Forgiveness takes a very Strong and trusting person. One who is stronger than those who retaliate in kind for a wrong or perceived wrong. We let go of that need for revenge and free ourselves from the burden that revenge becomes. We allow God to do what He must with that person and situation, and we are free to carry on with our lives. We leave the bitterness and the anger, and in return have peace and love.
My friend, I know this isn't easy because the truth is, sometimes someone hurts you so deeply, that the it feels like you were almost cut to the core, but that's just the lie that the devil wants you to believe. There is no sin or hurt that can't be forgiven. Allow yourself the freedom that forgiveness brings. Let the healing begin, let go of revenge, and let love win!!!!
Heavenly Father,
Let the forgivness begin with me. Help me to let go of the hurt inflicted by others so that I can live my best life. I thank You for Your word and the healing that it brings. Thank You for teaching me that letting go is much better than holding on to hurt. I pray that You would help me to forgive those who have hurt me, but more importantly Lord, help those I may have hurt to find forgivness, not for my sake, but for theirs. I ask all this in Your Heavenly Name. AMEN!!!
