ODB: Alternatives to Revenge
May 17, 2011
Leave final justice in the hands of a just God.
READ: Deuteronomy 19:16-21 Matthew 5:38-45
You shall not take vengeance . . . , but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. —Leviticus 19:18
One Sunday while preaching, a pastor was accosted and punched by a man. He continued preaching, and the man was arrested. The pastor prayed for him and even visited him in jail a few days later. What an example of the way to respond to insult and injury!
While there is a place for self-defense, personal revenge was forbidden in the Old Testament: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18; see also Deut. 32:35). It was also forbidden by Jesus and the apostles (Matt. 5:38-45; Rom. 12:17; 1 Peter 3:9).
The Old Testament law exacted like for like (Ex. 21:23-25; Deut. 19:21), which ensured that judicial punishment was not unjust or malicious. But there was a larger principle looming when it came to personal revenge: Justice must be done, but it must be left in the hands of God or the authorities ordained by God.
Instead of returning injury and insult, may we live by Christ-honoring and Spirit-empowered alternatives: Live at peace with everyone (Rom. 12:18), submit to a spiritual mediator (1 Cor. 6:1-6), and leave it in the hands of authorities and, most of all, in God’s hands.
— Marvin Williams
Source: Our Daily Bread
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I know we have the right to forgive others who sinned against us. But, do I still need to report to relevant authroity if I have been hurt so as to stop the person from abusing us? Or does it depends on the seriouness? If it is, then the level or degree of seriousness can be subjective. Furthermore, by reporting an incident, does it means we lack forgiveness or our forgiveness is conditional? I seriously wonder.
I know we have the right and the ability to forgive others who wronged us. But, do I still need to report to relevant authroity if I have been hurt so as to stop the person from abusing us? Or does it depends on the seriouness? If it is, then the level or degree of seriousness can be subjective. Furthermore, by reporting an incident like family abuse, does it means we lack of forgiveness or our forgiveness is conditional? I seriously wonder.
Personally, I too am often caught in this dilemma. It’s difficult to obey the command to honor our parents if they are dis-honoring us. Child abuse, and even emotional abuse, if left unshared can often lead to very negative circumstances in the lives of the children.
We could begin by praying for a loving heart and not a revengeful one that constantly needs to seek redress. This article really encouraged me!