Conquering The Giant Of Revenge Series

In our fallen world, it is often deemed acceptable by some to tear people down verbally or to get back at them if we feel hurt. We feel as though the revenge is justified. You may think it will make you feel good inside to see someone suffer like they made you suffer. Like they say, Revenge is sweet...Or is it? The reality is that by taking revenge in your own hands makes you hold onto the pain and ends up hurting you more...the desire is doing you no good. A grudge destroys you with hatred and bitterness and revenge only escalates hostilities.

That’s why it can be a Giant in your life! Your own revenge can destroy you!

There have been times in my life where I was severely wronged by people I loved. I learned that getting even is actually self-destructive.

Then Paul quotes from Proverbs 25, 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…”

Here’s where it gets serious. I mean, to follow what the Lord says here in the first part is to do nothing. “Don’t take vengeance!”

But it doesn’t stop there. We are called to still treat them right and help them if they have a need.

I’ve got people in my own life that have not only stabbed me in the back, but twisted the knife once it was in. You have those too?

I’ve learned to swallow my anger, turn it over to God and still treat them right when I see them. We live in a small community. I’m going to see them. I can still shake their hand with a smile. I would still stop and help them if I saw them on the side of the road.

Listen, that doesn’t mean I have to let them back in to my closest circle of friends. I still would never trust them as far as I could throw them.

You know the old saying, Hurt me once shame on you. Hurt me twice shame on me.

If someone has hurt you, taken your money, or anything else, this Scripture doesn’t tell us we have to restore our confidence and trust in him or her. But it is telling us we have to let God be God and love them.

Then Scripture says, “for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Remember Paul is writing to the church in Rome. This is a Roman saying that came from an Egyptian custom where the offender would have to walk around with a container of burning coals on his head to show everyone his or her shame.

What is the best thing we can do when we are wronged?

Here’s the answer: Forgive them! Pray for them! Love them!

By giving an enemy a drink, we're not excusing their misdeeds. We're recognizing them, forgiving them, and loving them in spite of them.

Why Should We Forgive Our Enemies?

1. Forgiveness may break the cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation

2. It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways

3. By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy

In 1 Peter 3 the Bible says, "Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,