Leviticus 19:18(NIV)
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Revenge is a violent action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. Whenever evil is deliberately committed against someone, the immediate human instinct is to take revenge, especially if the victim is capable of inflicting a corresponding injury on the offender. However, the lifestyle of God’s Kingdom teaches that it is wrong to strike back or return evil for evil, whether by immediate retaliation or deferred action of vengeance. Trying to revenge is like playing God and the consequence is unbearable. However, leaving matters in the hands of God and waiting for His judgment are acts of faith that demonstrate our trust in God rather than our human abilities. It is written in Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” The Almighty God wants us to see vengeance or revenge as His exclusive responsibility and not for us to repay evil with evil. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 says “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.” No one can avenge like our God!
The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us not to seek to retaliate wrongs done to us. Therefore, if we want to follow Jesus Christ, then we must be prepared to die daily to the desires of the flesh. Because the flesh will always seek revenge when someone hurts it. The flesh will have persistent feelings of ill will or resentment because of a past insult or injury from someone. But as the disciples of Christ, we are called to love because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. That is why we must love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, that we may be sons of our Father in Heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Therefore, we ought to be perfect, just as our Father in Heaven is perfect. In other words, we need to love others unconditionally, through the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. As we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Beloved, resist the desire to retaliate but allow God to judge your enemies. Love and forgive those who hate you and live-in peace with all men. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit for people have ended up in prisons just because they could not control that anger. Wait cheerfully and rest in the Lord, for one day the cup of your enemies will be full. Remain faithful, knowing full well that when God is ready to avenge you of your enemies, you will seek them and find them no more. Do not be blinded by bitterness and anger that you overlook the interest of our Savior Jesus Christ. Neither should grudge or prejudice against people influence you into preventing them from making peace with God by accepting Christ. Remember, God will judge your enemies according to the work of their hands, and He will give them sorrow of heart until they are completely destroyed.
O Lord, flood my heart with Your peace and help me to love unconditionally in Jesus’ Name.