Seventeen-year-old Vinnie Huntington got his revenge on a bull that gored him on his family’s farm. As he sat down to eat the steak carved from the bull, he said, “I’m going to enjoy it, too.”
Unlike Vinnie, followers of Jesus who have been “gored” by the words, attitudes, and actions of others should have a different response when it comes to revenge. The Bible clearly indicates that there’s a standard. What is it?
Human revenge was unacceptable and forbidden in the Old Testament (Genesis 4:15; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35). People lived by the principle of the lex talionis (the law of exacting like for like, see Exodus 21:23-25). This wasn’t a rule for personal revenge, but it ensured that judicial punishment was just and not malicious. Not only was personal revenge forbidden in the Old Testament, Jesus prohibited it as well (Matthew 5:38-45). He commanded His followers to love and pray for those who “gored” them, so that their character could resemble the nature of their heavenly Father. Jesus commanded this because there is a larger principle looming when it comes to personal revenge: Justice must be done, but it must be left in the hands of God or in the hands of authorities ordained by God. One way or another, God will avenge His people.
Instead of returning injury and insult, we should live by Christ-honoring alternatives: striving to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; 1 Peter 4:8), moving on when needed (Matthew 10:23), accepting the injury (Hebrews 10:32-34), using the law and submitting to a spiritually mature mediator (Acts 22:25; 1 Corinthians 6:1-6), and forgiving and doing good to the person who offended us (Luke 23:34; Romans 12:19-21).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 9:27-38
More:
Spend time reading Genesis 50:15-21 and 1 Samuel 24:1-12 to see what godly nonretaliation looks like.
Next:
Why is it so difficult for some believers to leave justice in the hands of God? What motivates you to not seek revenge?
leiliu on July 13, 2011 at 12:14 am
Thank you Pastor Williams. Great summary on the topic of forgiveness. I especially enjoyed 1 Samuel 24:1-12 too, on godly nonretaliation. Praise the Lord!
marvin williams on July 21, 2011 at 7:06 am
leiliu, I thanks God for your encouragement. This is an issues that plagues many believers, yet it is a subject that we talk very little about. I am glad that this article blessed you. Sorry for the late response.
daisymarygoldr on July 13, 2011 at 4:26 am
A wholesome post and well supported by scriptures! At a time when most of Christianity completely disregards God’s law, it is so beautiful to see how the OT law perfectly complies with the NT grace of the Gospel. No country or kingdom can function without laws. In giving His law God revealed His heart and laid it open for us to see His love—that always seeks to protect and preserve His people.
As you have rightly concluded, a believer’s response to injury and insult varies on a case-by-case basis. Abusive actions and criminal offenses are to be left in the hands of authorities ordained by God. However, when we have been “gored” by words or attitudes, the Bible teaches us to not retaliate but pay back insult with a blessing (1Peter 3:9).
Of course, my natural reaction is anger and I would love to get even. But how do I pray and ask God for justice? Lord please, string this mean bully onto your skewers and grill him so I get to relish some yummy kabobs? No. That is not the spirit and heart of our heavenly father. I will certainly not come close to bulls but I will also not desire any harm on them. David did not come anywhere close to King Saul, but he always respected the king as the Lord’s anointed and desired his well being.
It is a shame when Christians behave like immature children and dispute among one another. If I have been hurt by believers, then I will simply accept the injustice and leave it at that (1 Corinthians 6:7). God’s love motivates me to not seek revenge against my own brothers and sisters in Christ. For, they are the Lord’s anointed. Thanks marvin williams for this timely teaching!
marvin williams on July 21, 2011 at 7:09 am
daisymarygoldr, I thank God for your insight and transparency. My first reaction is the same as yours – “Lord, strike them with leprosy or let an arm fall off.” Thank God for the Holy Spirit, who convicts us and conforms us to the image of Jesus. This is a difficult word, but one that can produce godly fruit. Bless you for adding your voice here.
jimgroberts on July 13, 2011 at 5:27 am
Thankyou for bringing this very prickly topic.
I believe that not one of us is innocent in this. Jesus even taught us to pray “fogive as you are forgiven…so that you can be forgiven”. In Mattew 7 jesus clearly tells us we are unable to judge because of our fallen nature. If we seek justice then we also stand guilty. I rejoice at the abuse I receive for Gods sake and trust on His great mercy for my safety. Be assured that in this world you will NOT find justice – it is a fallen place – but live at peace with everybody as much as it is possible – love your enemies – give everything to God and follow Him. It is the only way to a fulfilled and peaceful life. Jesus was radical in His commision to us for our sakes.
marvin williams on July 21, 2011 at 7:14 am
Jim, I thank God for you adding your voice here. This is a prickly topic, yet one that, if we live by the principles Jesus taught, can produce much fruit and cause people to really see Jesus Messiah. Peter talks about suffering for right instead of wrong. When we suffer for right instead of wrong, the glory of God rests on that person. May we be found suffering for right and may we be found guilty for repaying evil with good. I thank God for you and you adding your voice here.
lindagma on July 13, 2011 at 7:00 am
I find the best way for me, after I get through ranting, raving and stewing, is to give it to Him and walk away with my peace and freedom in tact.
marvin williams on July 21, 2011 at 7:17 am
“Give it to him and walk away with my peace and freedom in tact.” I love that line and it really summarizes the results of forgiving another person. I thank God for your short but impactful response here. Blessings on you.
eppistle on July 13, 2011 at 7:43 am
The natural response to a gorer is to take revenge. But God wants us to forgive that person. The Greek word for “forgiving” in Ephesians 4:32 is the verb form of “grace.” So when you forgive the gorer, you extend grace to him. In other words, you give him something he doesn’t deserve. How do we do that? In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus gives some practical advice: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” If you’re finding it to difficult to love, do good or say something nice about the gorer, start with praying every day for God’s best for him. Slowly God will change your heart and/or his heart so that you will truly be able to truly love the gorer.
marvin williams on July 21, 2011 at 7:21 am
Great insight. Thanks for expanding the thought of forgiveness with the idea of grace. Jesus forgave us and gave us something we didn’t deserve, As we stay connected to the True Vine (John 15), his life will flow through us and we will be able to respond to those who gore us with the same love and forgiveness that he showed us. I thank God for you adding your voice to this conversation.
alli on July 13, 2011 at 12:54 pm
its hard to leave things inGod’s hands but we must justice will b done but you put yourself in the place of God when you take matters into your own hands i mean God may grant clemency only God knows the fitting punishment and many times there r other things we do not see so as hard as it is God will make everything right
winn collier on July 13, 2011 at 5:48 pm
I believe these peace-realities of following Jesus are some of the most subversive truths of God’s kingdom.
marvin williams on July 21, 2011 at 7:23 am
Winn, I could not agree with you more. These are shocking statements, and principles that, if we live them out, will cause a revolution in our hearts. Blessings on you, friend.