Biblical Vengeance
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,Vengeance is mine; I will
repay, saith the Lord.
Intro: Vengeance is a
word we are all familiar with; whether we realize it or not.
We have all seen
children get hurt playing with other children, and then go out of their way to
inflict the same hurt or pain on the one that “caused” them to get hurt.
The Definition of Vengeance: The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense.
Such infliction, when it proceeds from malice or more resentment, and is not
necessary for the purposes of justice, is revenge, and a most heinous crime. Webster’s
1828 Dictionary
Explain the difference
in Vengeance; Justice (Rom. 13:1-4) and Self-Defense – (Luke 22:35-38)
The First mention
Principle:
Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said
unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him
sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill
him.
What we can learn
about God’s perspective on Vengeance from the First Mention Principle:
- Vengeance isn’t justified – no matter how serious the offence. (in
this case; murder)
- Vengeance is a serious offense to God – worthy of 7-fold punishment
- God will go out of His way to protect the victim of vengeance; not
the one doing it.
I. God’s Restriction - Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves,
- 1
Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow
that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
- Proverbs
26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a
stone, it will return upon him.
- Ecclesiastes
10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an
hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
II. God’s Recommendation - but rather give place unto
wrath
- Give place - to give something to
someone;
to grant, give to one asking, let have (Casting all your care upon him…)
- Wrath - anger, the natural disposition, temper,
character movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent
emotion, but esp. anger
- Matt. 5:38 Ye have
heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
- 39 But I say
unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy
right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 40 And if any
man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy
cloke also.
- 41 And
whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
- 42 Give to
him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou
away.
- 43 Ye have
heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate
thine enemy.
- 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- 45 That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and
on the unjust.
- 46 For if ye
love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans
the same?
- 47 And if ye
salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the
publicans so?
- Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil;
- Romans 12:20 Therefore if
thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
- 1
Thessalonians 5:15 See that none
render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good,
both among yourselves, and to all men.
III. God’s Reassurance - Vengeance is mine; I will repay
saith the Lord.
- Psalms 94:1 O LORD God,
to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew
thyself.
- Deuteronomy
32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide
in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that
shall come upon them make haste.
- Deuteronomy
32:41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on
judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them
that hate me.
- Hebrews 10:30 For we know
him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith
the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
- Galatians 6:7 Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap.
The Drawbacks of Payback
1. Living a Life of Disobedience – no matter how you slice it; vengeance is unscriptural and
un-Christlike. How can we profess to be
“Bible believers” and call the Bible our “Final Authority for all matters of
faith and PRACTICE” if we act like heathens and treat people in a way that is
contrary to Scripture??
2. Living a Life of Defilement – Heb. 12:15 – when vengeance is oozing out of our pores, it defiles
everybody around us. Our bitterness and
vengeance becomes our defining quality.
It affects everybody.
3. Living a Life of Distraction – Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields. Why did Christ say that? Because we are always looking at ourselves;
our hurts, our pain, our needs, our wants, our problems, and don’t look at the
world around us.
Conclusion: Bottom line –
let it go, and let God sort it out. Spend your time doing something
constructive. Like making things right in your own life!!
THE ONLY POSITIVE
USAGE OF THE WORD VENGEANCE:
- 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what
clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what
vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things
ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
FINAL POINT TO
MAKE: Nobody in the world causes your more problems,
more heartaches, more frustration, more conflict than YOURSELF!
So turn your
attention to your own faults and failures; get yourself right with God and quit
focusing on making everybody around you pay for what they’ve done when you are
your own worst enemy!!
