Vengeance

VERSE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” – NIV 

As Christians we need to make a very important decision. What will our defense be? Would we rather defend ourselves from attacks or would we rather have God defend us. 

This is what Jesus is telling us in this passage. This passage has also been read many times and has been dubbed the “turn the other cheek” passage. However, this is not a mandate for us to allow abuse but rather the way to get the Lord involved in your defense.

I’ve heard many people say that this passage guarantees that others will take advantage of us and that we are just to take it. That would be true if there was no God. But when we follow these commands of Jesus, the Lord is on our side. 

VERSE PASSAGE: 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.” – NIV

I think many don’t realize that when we fight back, we are drawing on our own strength. But when we turn the other cheek, we are invoking God as our defense. Once we understand this, it becomes obvious that these instructions are for our own good. It is God’s place to avenge us not ours. 

VERSE PASSAGE: James 1:20 “because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – NIV

Regardless of how appropriate our anger may seem, and regardless of how we think our wrath could make a person or situation change, we will never accomplish God’s plan that way.

When we defend ourselves, we stop God from defending us. We have instead made the statement “I am strong enough to do this on my own and I don’t need you (God) getting involved. I can fight my own battles.” However, this can be detrimental to the Christian life and faith. 

We need to realize that when we turn the other cheek to our enemies, we are now making the statement “God, I know you are my avenger. It is not my place to bring wrath upon my enemies but yours.” We then release the power of God to work on our behalf. 

I have been wronged more than once. But we can’t let our worldly anger and emotions take over. We cannot let the flesh gain power over us. Instead, we need to go to the Lord and petitioned Him to handle the issue because only He knows what’s best, and it’s His place to make the decision about the situation not ours. 

Today I pray that you will let God avenge you. Don’t worry about getting payback in some sharp cunning way. Recognize that vengeance belongs to God and He will handle the wrongdoing that has come upon you. 

Be blessed my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Copyright © 2017 by Jacob D. Olinger