Revenge Is a Trap!

I can only guess that you have all noticed the radical increase in tension in our society these days. Clearly the economic challenges we are facing today are adding up and we are reacting in ways that are not our true character. Fear is a powerful force in our world and causes many people to say and do things that they would not normally do. The unfortunate result of this is a huge increase in the amount of unfair and unkind conversations and actions taken toward our fellow brothers and sisters. This can be a trap because we can all be in bondage to human justice. All of us are susceptible to seeking revenge or justice when wrongs are done.

For those of us that share the Christian faith we are told in the book of Romans to not avenge ourselves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, ”vengance is mine, I will repay”. Now I am not clear on what that means God will do, but I am clear that we are not to seek revenge. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Rom 12:17 I think it is safe to say that Jesus removed any gray area about grudges. In fact he teaches that we are to be so far removed from avenging ourselves that we willingly risk being taken advantage of again. WOW. When we refuse to forgive we are carrying out a form of revenge. We are not to judge!

Now this is really easy to say but much more difficult to carry out! I have experienced that the justice/revenge double standard is the one that gets most of us. One of us could have failure in our lives or could be perceived to have failure in their lives and immature Christians choose to pass judgment or gossip and add to the pain. Then in return the one who is hurting and is being judged turns around and judges those that are passing judgment on them, consequently committing the exact same sin. We can all say it is wrong to judge but for some reason we allow ourselves to judge the judger. Obviously this is a trap and one we all want to avoid. James 4:12,5-9 “there is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the judge is standing at the door” WOW!! When we set ourselves up to correct the wrong done to us we set ourselves up as a judge! Be careful, judge not less ye be judged.

I will say it again “don’t put yourself into the bondage of human justice”. Our hearts are like soil and they will only produce what we plant into it. If we plant the seed of anger, resentment, unforgiveness or judgment the root of bitterness will spring up in the place of the love of God. If roots are watered and fertilized they will grow stronger and deeper to the point that they will quickly be very difficult to pull up. Then we run the huge risk of seeing the harvest of deep anger, jealousy, hatred, strife and discord!! St. Paul told the collosians “ even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” and to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as god in Christ forgave you”. I believe that if we do not pursue peace by releasing offenses we will eventually become consumed by anger and bitterness. Read the story of King Saul and David then his son Amnon and Absalom in the book of Samuel if you really want to see a very clear path to follow and avoid!!

Who is the judge- you or the Lord? Remember that if you sow strife you will reap it. Please, let’s all be willing to examine our hearts. Lets not be afraid to allow our own consciousness reveal any unforgiveness or bitterness. The longer we hide the stronger it will become and the harder our hearts will grow. We cant help to heal the soul of the universe if we are full of issues that sabotage love and grace.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God forgave you” eph 4:31-32

I love you all and I forgive you all! Many great things are being thrown around these days and many hurtful things are being said by people. I love you! I forgive you! I hope you can do the same for me and all your fellow mankind!

Peace is found in grace!!