We live in a fallen world, and we can be sure that at some point we will meet people who will hurt us, offend us, and sin against us. When people hurt you, do not avenge yourself; leave everything to God. People usually lean towards sin since birth, until and unless they encounter Jesus Christ, who empowers us by His Spirit to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
The inherent sinful nature of human beings means that we cannot escape pain and suffering that is part of our lives here on earth.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5.
In this world we will face many trials and tribulations. We will face natural disasters, accidents, diseases, loses of all types, persecution, pain, and heartache. There are people who will hurt us unintentionally, and there are those who will maliciously hurt us on purpose. We will encounter injustice, setbacks, unfulfilled desires and expectations, and there are many times when things will not go as we had planned. During such times, do not avenge yourself; vengeance belongs to the Lord.
We will meet people who will rise against us for no valid reasons, including members of our own families, people will abandon us and walk away, friendships will be broken, and we will meet people who will betray us in one way or the other. These, and much more, is part of what we will encounter in the journey of life in this world. However, no matter what comes our way, there is hope in Jesus Christ.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.
There is a time and a season for everything. In this world, we followers of Christ cannot exclude ourselves from the world. There is a time that is coming when we will live with God in heaven for eternity where sin does not exist. However, for now, we live in a sin-laden world. When people sin against you, do not avenge yourself.
As children of God, we are to be the light of the world and salt of the earth.
We do our part and live a life that glorifies God and stand firmly on His Word, and we preach the gospel to the lost. However, we cannot force people to repent. Eventually, salvation is a personal decision, and also it is God who draws people to Himself. Some people will not repent even when presented with the truth. Having done our part, we leave the rest to God. A time is coming when those who reject Jesus Christ will face righteous judgement from God.
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my ban.’ ” Matthew 13:24-30.
When people hurt us and sin against us, it is hard to hold back and not do to them as they have done unto us. It is hard not to repay evil with evil, but with God’s power, it becomes possible to repay evil with good. The fallen human nature seeks to revenge, it seeks to have its own way, it seeks to inflict pain on those who have inflicted pain on us, it seeks to do to others like they have done unto us. The easy way is following the wide path, but that only ends up in destruction.
The easy way is to avenge ourselves, but that only leads to more pain, bitterness, rage, hostility, animosity, and all other types of sin.
Vengeance is not Christ-like and does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Do not avenge yourself. Seeking revenge leads to sin and never makes the situation better. Do not be ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ type of person; that does not please God and neither does it glorify Him.
You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matthew 5:38-42.
It seems weak to turn the other cheek when someone does you wrong, but it actually takes a lot of strength, and that is the high road to take, the narrow path that pleases God and eventually leads to eternal life.
It takes a lot of self-control not to curse those who curse you, not to hit those who hit you, not to betray those who betray you, not to slander those who slander you, not to gossip about those who gossip about you, not to hurt those who hurt you, not to cheat on those who cheat on you, and not to repay with evil those who do evil against you; such takes the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ set a great example for us concerning how we are to deal with those who are against us.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25.
During our journey in life we will encounter pain and heartache. We will meet people who will treat us in unjust and evil manner. During such times, may we never be tempted to avenge ourselves. Do not avenge yourself. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
It is not our position to avenge ourselves when people hurt us or sin against us.
It is difficult by human standards to forgive, let go, and allow God to take over and take care of whatever situation we are going through, but it is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. May God give us self-control and may we learn to always step back and allow God to have His way.
The Bible says, in your anger, do not sin, and do not give place to the devil. Remember, man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God.
If what the other person has done against you is illegal, go through the right legal channels, but remember that even if you do not get justice on earth, there is God in heaven who will bring all to justice with righteous judgement. Eventually, we are all answerable to God. Someone might think that they have escaped the justice of the world, but let every one of us never forget that we cannot escape the righteous judgement of God; God is a God of justice.
We are in the race of faith, may we learn to patiently endure to the very end, looking up to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
Repay no evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19.
Blessings.
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