TD12-Revenge
This is going to be a difficult topic to tackle…and here’s why. I suppose that revenge derives from human emotion and everyone on earth has the ability to be angered. However, everyone also has the ability to make further decisions from the point of becoming angered. Unfortunately, many folks selfishly desire revenge against those who angered them. And, in your mind, when revenge is “achieved”, you will experience an evil gratification that may become a pattern. Look, I’m not going to sit here, bs you, and pretend like there’s no scenarios where I don’t feel like revenge is justified…..but, I say that as someone who is sinful and very flawed. We all know that disgusting and unspeakable acts committed against people….by people, every day. But, I’m also not going to sit here and tell you what I’d do to who, for what….because that’s exactly what satan wants me to do…..to get lost in my own mind and believe that, what feels good must be right. That’s how satan works, folks…..it feels good.
Wow….this is so easy to get lost in, folks….and I’ve personally lost this battle time and time again. But, before I get lost in my own justification and allow anger to fill my mind and heart….i gotta turn the channel quick because it really will consume you.
So, to begin….let me say this….the Bible addresses this topic many times throughout. So, I’m only going to point at one verse, Deuteronomy 32:35….”vengeance is mine”. And as always…..read it! Meaning, vengeance belongs to God. In other words, if someone pisses you off and or wrongs you, do not act, because God will act for you….in his own time and manner. But herein lies the problem….if you don’t have a strong relationship with Christ, resistance may become seemingly impossible. And, you likely won’t understand why or how to resist/respond.
The reason why is simple….you/me, we’re not of divine authority. You don’t confess your sins to me, nor do you ask me for forgiveness. No human being can forgive you for those sins….or give you salvation! I am not he! I am not the messiah! And when you decide to seek revenge, you’re assuming the responsibility of God. And when you begin to make God’s decisions and “act on his behalf”, you become comfortable doing that….and you’ve lost all humility at that point. Eventually, you may feel that revenge is your duty.
How do you resist revenge…especially when it seems “needed”? This is difficult, however, there’s no other option but to…..TRUST….in God. Hand this over through prayer, scripture and in your personal relationship with Christ. If you don’t, you will lose this battle at some point. Because, believe it or not…..you are human….weak…..breakable…..and very vulnerable without Christ. Read what the Bible says about this part….because, if you only take mine or anyone else’s word for it….you’ll surely have no understanding of what God wants from you.
So now, I’m going to dive into this headfirst….without resistance….and without Jesus. When someone does something to anger me, and that makes me look bad!!!!…..I don’t react kindly. And if you intentionally piss me off, or make me look bad…..oh, hell, no! You’re ass is mine….I will make you pay. First, I’m going to totally rip apart your reputation and make you look as bad as possible. Then, I’m going to attempt to prove you wrong and, myself right. I’ve got to let other folks know that you’re a liar and I’m not…so I can sell myself. And once I’ve done a little ground control and regain a little trust, when the dust settles a bit…..I’ll begin my pursuit. I’ll start back with the deceptive verbiage and claims or questions about you. Remember, folks…..revenge is much more effective when you use manipulation. So, once I’ve raised a little doubt and or concern, I’ll begin to take more aggressive action against you as the anger guides my thoughts and decisions. At some point, I may even create a situation that you’re unaware of, one that will hopefully cause others to become angry at you. Because my goal is to discredit you and cause others to think bad things about you.
Folks, this can easily become an obsession. Think about this….the one who wronged you. How long did the person spend on the offense? Was it words that reflected poorly on you? Was it an act that offended you, that took only seconds to perform? And how long will you spend to get revenge? Will you give hours, days, weeks or even longer? What have you set aside to achieve your revenge? What have you sacrificed of yourself or others in order to gain a few moments of satisfaction? And, in that time, what opportunities have you missed that may have led to something new or great in your own life. Or, are you willing to freely give yourself and these things to the one who wronged you? In all actuality, in the end….if you’ve done this….you’ve probably helped the one who did it to achieve even further gratification as your response has only hurt you. I suppose that revenge first came from satan when he fell from heaven. His revenge is at God and he’ll use us all to avenge himself if we let him. Satan hates God, he’s jealous of God….he wants to be God. And he will manipulate you into believing that revenge is righteous. Revenge is evil when sought by man. It derives from anger, becomes hate, consumes you, and you seek revenge. And your revenge belongs to satan.
Ultimately, the reason why God says “vengeance is mine”, is because revenge is based on judgment. We know that judgment belongs to only one….God. So, who are you to judge? Are you God? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, folks. Who among us can throw out the first pitch? Revenge by man is fueled by hatred in your heart. That, will ultimately separate you from Christ….because, Christ is love.
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