I once spoke with a father whose son had been brutally murdered by a family friend. In the years that followed, he talked of his burning desire for revenge. He knew that bitterness had overtaken his heart and crowded out that which was good. Although he wanted to turn this festering burden over to Jesus, he struggled with letting go.
One of the things God put on my heart to share with this man initially shocked him, but it also freed him up to see that he had other options. I told him that his desire for revenge was not completely off-base and unchristian. I then reminded him of these words that the apostle Paul wrote to fellow believers in Jesus, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).
Paul’s statement is a surprising promise for revenge. In other words, the apostle was encouraging his readers to be patient because they were going to have their day when vengeance would be God’s . . . and theirs. A time is coming when all believers will have the opportunity to make Satan (who is indirectly and ultimately responsible for all of the evils in life) pay under our feet.
Part of the desire to take revenge is godly, as long as it’s based in God’s righteousness and His timing. In the meantime, He calls us to leave revenge up to Him (Romans 12:19) and to work toward conquering evil by “doing good” to those who deeply harm us (Romans 12:21). This might include blessing them with the gift of noncondemnation or showing tough love that forces them to own the harm of their sinful choices.
Our goal? To help others overcome evil in their lives and to prevent the evil of bitterness from overtaking ours.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jude 1:17-25
More:
Doing what is good to those who have hurt us is letting them experience a sample of God’s mercy and justice.
Next:
Without pretending that nothing happened, how can you do what is good for a person who has deeply hurt you? How can doing good to those who have hurt you be a sample of God’s mercy and justice?
Aganos on December 28, 2011 at 6:00 am
God bless you for this wonderful reminder Jeff. Jesus commanded us in Matt 5:44 to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us and pray for those who persecute us. Its hard but when we trust in the Lord He gives us the grace to do so. Hallelujah!
thepearlturtle on December 28, 2011 at 8:11 am
It is wonderful to be reminded that Satan is behind all the strife in this world, and I pray that I will see any and all anger and cruelty as an evil attempt by him to create disunity between me and my loved ones; may I respond with love, mercy and grace to any unkindness directed toward me this day and always, displaying the graciousness of God, rather than lashing out in vengeful anger as I have in the past. Thank you so much for this, Jeff. Your devotionals are always a blessing to me.
sheridan voysey on December 30, 2011 at 5:40 am
Thanks Jeff. That desire for justice isn’t entirely ungodly at all, as you’ve mentioned. It’s the ‘how’ and the ‘who’ of that justice coming about that’s key.
mike wittmer on December 30, 2011 at 9:28 am
This is a good reminder. I think that Paul also commits some apostates over to the wrath of God, so that they would learn the error of their ways.