God is the Avenger
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When someone treats you badly what is your first thought of what to do? If someone makes fun of you or harms you do you find yourself seeking revenge? Is that the way God wants us to react? What does the Bible say about being an avenger and seeking revenge?
It is in our make up as human beings, when a someone does something wrong, a punishment of some kind should be given to that person. Justice should prevail and someone should pay for the harm that was done. However, it is not up to us to be the avenger of the wrongdoer.
God is the Avenger
It is not our job to make someone pay for their wrongdoing. The Bible clearly tells us that we are not to retaliate against someone. Instead, we are to leave the matter in God’s hands because He is The Avenger and will bring true justice.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19
But why does God want us to allow Him to be the avenger? Most often when we try to make someone pay for their deeds, we go about it in the wrong way at the wrong time. Our motivations come from our emotions and desire to hurt the person for what they have done. God will do the right thing at the right time. He will also do so in a loving, non spiteful way that will hopefully bring them closer to Him.
How to Wait for God
The really hard part is that God may wait awhile before He takes His vengeance. Often times what God deems appropriate, isn’t what we think should be done. So what does God expect us to do in these cases? God expects us to show His love to the person that hurt you.
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:20-21
We are to be intentionally kind to this person that hurt us! Why? Because God can use your love toward this person for His good. God may be able to use your kindness to help this person see the love of God in a way that wouldn’t be possible without the situation that created the conflict.
Is this easy to do? Absolutely not! Relying on God’s promise of grace and love is the only way this can truly happen. This type of love, in spite of the the hurt, doesn’t come naturally to us.
3 Ways to Allow God to be the Avenger?
1. Remember the grace that God has shown to you
Have you found forgiveness and mercy in the love of God? Keeping this is mind will help you to love this person like God loves you.
2. Ask God for Strength
Ask God to give you the strength to overcome your worldly desire for revenge and retribution. Also ask God to show you the ways He wants you to show His love for this person. Do this while leaving the Avenger to repay every evil act with His righteous vengeance.
3. Allow God to show you a path to forgiveness
Through our forgiveness of others, we become more like Christ which allows us closer fellowship with God. This closer fellowship will bring us closer to God’s Will for our lives.
As you can see, God is to be the only Avenger. We are not to seek vengeance against others but instead we are to seek God’s guidance and allow Him to handle the situation.
Do you have any other ideas on ways to help us to allow God to be the Avenger in our lives?
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9 Comments
Pamela
This was such a great post! I loved your insight and perspective about letting God avenge when we have been wronged and the importance of forgiveness! Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
The phrase that comes to mind is “kill them with kindness.” Easy in theory, yet difficult in practice.
Jen Cannon
Somehow my grandmother was very talented at this. I learned from a master!
fashNcurious
The bible does say to turn the other cheek! Vengeance is mine saith the Lord…. easier said than done sometimes.
Twicemicrowaved tea
This was a very interesting read and has definitely given me something to think about. #kcacols
Sarah | Mummykind
I’m not overly religious, but I agree with the principles here! There is no need to bear a grudge nor act on someone else’s wrongdoing, so, where I can, I forgive people. I don’t ask God for strength but where something has really hurt me I find it and deal with it internally in my own way! Great tips for living a better and more spiritual life 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up with #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time!
Albany
Jen, this message could not have come at a better time! I know without a shadow of a doubt that me reading this post at this point in time was nothing but God’s will. I literally had to put my hand over my heart while reading this. Less than 12 hours ago, I came across two “so-called” friends that have hurt me deeply. I needed this reminder so much to love them (from afar), forgive them and move out of God’s way as He avenges me for how they hurt me. Thank you so much for sharing this message. It meant so much!
Jen Cannon
Thank you for letting me know. Sometimes blogging feels like my efforts don’t really matter. I needed your words of encouragement and affirmation! I have added your situation to my prayer list.
Jade
Some really interesting points. I really agree that we are not responsible for avenging other peoples actions. #KCACOLS