Don't Get Even

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you trust the LORD enough to help you?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that if we have prayed for something, then move on by trying not to get even, and trust the LORD expectantly that He will do what He has promised to do.

IV. TEXT:

Proverbs 20:22 (Amplified Bible)

20:22 Do not say, I will repay evil; wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue you.

Proverbs 20:22 (Contemporary English Version)

Don't try to get even. Trust the LORD, and He will help you.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS, for You will never fail me nor disappoint me, I trust You LORD to do what You've promised.

VI. TITLE:

Don't get even

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Authors: Credited generally to King Solomon before his character downfall/decline.

B. Date written: from 931 to 686 B.C.

C. Purpose: To give moral instruction

D. Main Theme: Fear of the LORD

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Don't try to get even - Don't get even

"Do not say, I will repay evil;"

Proverbs 24:29 (Amplified Bible)

24:29 Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.

Matthew 5:39 (Amplified Bible)

5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.

Matthew 5:44 (Amplified Bible)

5:44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:17 (Amplified Bible)

12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.

Romans 12:19 (Amplified Bible)

12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:35 (Amplified Bible)

32:35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, in the time when their foot shall slide; for the day of their disaster is at hand and their doom comes speedily.

Proverbs 25:21 (Amplified Bible)

25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

I know what you're saying, it's so hard not to get even, but hey, let's see if you get even what's the best you can do to ruin the enemy? perhaps punch him in the nose? but it's that the best compared to what GOD can do to him? GOD can make their feet slippery even when not wet, bring them disaster and delivery them doom speedily.

B. Trust the LORD and He will help you - Wait

"wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue you."

Another hard thing to do is to wait, first not to get even, then to wait.

Psalms 27:14 (Amplified Bible)

27:14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

The issue is not waiting, the real issue here is trusting the LORD, how well or how long can you trust the LORD to deliver you? and do what He has promised?

Psalms 37:34 (Amplified Bible)

37:34 Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; [in the end] when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Isaiah 40:31 (Amplified Bible)

40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Lamentations 3:25-26 (Amplified Bible)

3:25 The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word].

3:26 It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:23 (Amplified Bible)

2:23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.

1 Peter 4:19 (Amplified Bible)

4:19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God’s will must do right and commit their souls [in charge as a deposit] to the One Who created [them] and will never fail [them].