“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is a natural response when we are wronged, but the Scripture teaches us that vengeance belongs to God alone. He is perfectly just and sovereign, ensuring that all wrongs are addressed fairly. This truth is a call for believers to live peaceably with others.
VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD
When we are wronged—whether through pain, abuse, humiliation, or injustice—our immediate impulse might be to seek revenge, desiring the offender to experience the same pain they inflicted upon us. However, the Bible teaches us that revenge is not our responsibility—it belongs to God. He will ensure that justice is administered to those who have wronged you. He will repay them for the wrongs they have committed against you. We should let go of our desire for revenge and trust that God will handle every injustice. This truth, while challenging to live out, is foundational to Christian faith.
WHY WE SHOULD NOT TAKE REVENGE
As the sovereign ruler and ultimate judge of all things, God alone has the authority to administer justice and enact vengeance. God’s response to injustice is not driven by mere retribution, but by His perfectly just and holy nature. In contrast to human justice, which can be biased and flawed, God’s justice is both perfect and unbiased. Romans 12:19 states, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather leave room for God’s wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord”.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
- Pray: We should pray for those who have wronged us and seek God’s guidance to help us navigate conflicts and injustices (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:28).
- Forgive: The Scripture encourages us to extend forgiveness in the same manner that the Lord has forgiven us (Col 3:13).
- Bless: We are called to refrain from seeking revenge and instead bless those who have wronged us (1 Pet 3:9).
- Do good: We are encouraged to do good to others, even to those who have wronged us; by doing so, we will heap burning coals on the heads of our enemies (Rom 12:20; Gal 6:9-10).
- Trust in God: There are times when injustice seems to take long to be addressed, but God’s timing and justice is perfect. God is patient with all of us, giving us enough time to repent (2 Pet 3:9).
The principle that “vengeance belongs to God” teaches us that ultimate justice is in God’s hands. When we trust in God’s perfect justice, forgive others, and seek peace, we reflect Christ’s character. This principle provides an effective way to handle injustice.
Further study: Psalm 89:14; Proverbs 24:29
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