GOD’S WORD ON REVENGE

WEDNESDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2023.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE

TOPIC: GOD’S WORD ON REVENGE 

MEMORIZE: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 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; 

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 25:24-31.

“So she fell at his feet and said: "On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant. 25 "Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. 26 "Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, since the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal. 27 "And now this present which your maidservant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. 28 "Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. For the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord fights the battles of the LORD, and evil is not found in you throughout your days. 29 "Yet a man has risen to pursue you and seek your life, but the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the LORD your God; and the lives of your enemies He shall sling out, as from the pocket of a sling. 30 "And it shall come to pass, when the LORD has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, 31 "that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. But when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant."” 

EXPOSITION:

Revenge is the action taken in return for an injury or offense. It is forbidden by our Lord. Every offense committed against human has any of these two effects. 1. Recoverable damage which with time one can be healed from its injury. 2. Irrecoverable damage: This is the damage sustained that time cannot heal except for divine intervention.

Vengeance is usually thought of when people offend us, most especially, when we have irrecoverable injury. Notwithstanding, God warned us not to take vengeance by ourselves but to leave it unto Him. “'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18; 

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.” Proverbs 24:17,29.

“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 

“not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 

 

CHRIST AN EXAMPLE OF FORBEARING 

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7; 

“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” 1 Peter 2:23 

REVENGE IS REBUKED BY CHRIST 

“And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” Luke 9:54-55. 

 

PROCEEDS FROM A SPITEFUL HEART 

“Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,” Ezekiel 25:15 

INSTEAD OF TAKING REVENGE, WE SHOULD 

• Trust in God - Proverbs 20:22; Ro 12:16 

• Exhibit love - Leviticus 19:18; Luke 6:35 

• Give place to wrath - Rom 12:19 

• Exercise forbearance - Mt 5:38-41 

• Bless - Rom 12:14 

• Overcome others by kindness - Proverbs 25:21,22; Rom. 12:20  

PRAYER POINT:  Lord, I handover my battles unto you, fight for me and prevent me from revenge In Jesus Name.   

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Isaiah  33 – 35.

********************************

ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com