Austin Bible Church
The definition of vengeance is punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense. Another related word is revenge which is the act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs. It is a primitive, destructive, and violent response to anger, injury, or humiliation. It is also a misguided attempt to transform shame into pride.
Romans 12:19-21 tells us that we are not to malign another person in return. By not paying back in kind, we are placing the whole matter in the Lord’s hands.
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21, NASB)
When the believer stays filled with the Holy Spirit and stays out of emotional revolt, they stay out of the Lord’s way as He disciplines others and are actually blessed during persecution and pressure. Nonretaliation then becomes the basis of attracting a lost and dying world to Christ. This means that rapport can exist even when there is antagonism on the part of one party.
Nonretaliation means holding off, maintain your mental attitude which accompanies the filling of the Holy Spirit. When you retaliate, you lower yourself to the level of the person who initiated the action and you are out of fellowship and just as carnal as the person who crossed you.
Keep your temper in control. Retaliation does not belong to you. Leave it in the Lord’s hands. Stay out of the Lord’s way or you confuse the issue. God takes care of the discipline. Retaliation always boomerangs. Retaliation always destroys inner beauty. 1 Peter 3:8-9.
“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9, NASB)
The erection of an edification complex of the soul is the greatest deterrent to the subject of personal vengeance.
Do not confuse this principle with acts of justified war when a nation defends itself against enemies. Then you fight to win. Fighting militarily against the enemy is not pouring vengeance on the enemy. See category on War.