Overcome Evil With Good

The revenge plot is a common theme in film and literature.  Perhaps one reason they have such appeal to people is the opportunity to vicariously see people pay for their crimes, to get what they deserve.  We all have a natural impulse when we are wronged to return in kind and then some.  Someone pushes us so we justify pushing and punching them.  If we are made to suffer by the cruelty of others, we feel it unjust they would face no observable consequences.  When others cause us pain, we want someone to pay.  While the flesh imagines revenge will bring relief, faith in God leads us to forgive.

This theme of seeking vengeance is found throughout scripture.  There are times when people sought revenge against enemies, and other times they asked God to take vengeance.  After God revealed to the prophet Jeremiah of a plot against his life, he prayed in Jeremiah 11:19-20:  "But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more." ²⁰ But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, testing the mind and the heart, let me see Your vengeance on them, for to You I have revealed my cause."  Shocked by the evil schemes against him, Jeremiah asked God to take vengeance upon them and give him the satisfaction of seeing justice meted out.  It is possible people have read passages like this spoken by God-fearing people under the covenant of Law and thus justified praying in this manner.

When Jesus came, His teachings went beyond the letter of the Law that demanded "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."  Jesus commanded His disciples love their enemies, bless those who cursed them, do good to those who hated them, and pray for those who spitefully used and persecuted them (Matthew 5:43-45).  Paul echoed these words in Romans 12:18-19:  "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."  We who have placed our faith in Jesus for salvation also trust God's vengeance, whether we see it or not.  Instead of desiring God to destroy our enemies, we should follow the example of Jesus Who, when He was unjustly condemned and crucified, breathed out forgiveness.  Grace poured from every wound.  Jesus established a New Covenant that provided atonement by His shed blood through faith in Him, desiring none would perish.

God says He will repay, and the Bible says the wages of sin is death.  The Bible teaches God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that they would turn from their sin in repentance and live (Eze. 33:11).  For man to take vengeance is to transgress, and we ought to take Romans 12:21 to heart:  "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  The God who tests the minds and hearts knows if we order our thoughts and lives by seeking vengeance or gracious forgiveness.  The one who has their heart set on revenge is not following the wise teaching and example of Jesus Christ who was cut off from the land of the living so sinners could be born again and reconciled to God by grace.  God will repay, and we are privileged to give place to wrath and overcome evil with good.