Topical Bible: Revenge: Keep Others from Taking

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Topical Encyclopedia

Revenge, the act of retaliating or seeking retribution for a wrong suffered, is a concept addressed multiple times in the Bible. The Scriptures consistently discourage personal vengeance, urging believers to leave justice in the hands of God. This entry explores the biblical perspective on revenge and the responsibility of believers to prevent others from taking revenge.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding revenge through the Mosaic Law and the wisdom literature. In Leviticus 19:18, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This directive emphasizes the importance of love and forgiveness over personal retribution.

The principle of "an eye for an eye" found in Exodus 21:24 is often misunderstood as a call for revenge. However, it was intended as a legal guideline to ensure justice and proportionality, preventing excessive punishment and personal vendettas. The law was meant to be administered by the judicial system, not individuals.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament further develops the theme of refraining from revenge. In Romans 12:19, the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" This passage underscores the belief that God is the ultimate judge and avenger, and that believers should trust Him to administer justice.

Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount also address the issue of revenge. In Matthew 5:38-39, He instructs, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of conduct, one that reflects mercy and forgiveness rather than retaliation.

Preventing Others from Taking Revenge

Believers are not only called to refrain from seeking revenge themselves but also to discourage others from doing so. This involves promoting peace and reconciliation within the community. In Romans 12:18, Paul advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This proactive approach to peacekeeping can help prevent the cycle of revenge from taking root.

The role of believers in preventing revenge extends to offering wise counsel and mediation. In situations where tensions run high, Christians are encouraged to act as peacemakers, as Jesus stated in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." By fostering an environment of understanding and forgiveness, believers can help others resist the temptation to seek revenge.

Practical Application

In practical terms, preventing revenge involves several key actions:

1. Modeling Forgiveness: Demonstrating forgiveness in personal conduct can inspire others to do the same. By forgiving those who wrong us, we set an example that can influence others to choose reconciliation over revenge.

2. Offering Support: Providing emotional and spiritual support to those who have been wronged can help them process their hurt without resorting to revenge. Encouraging prayer and reflection can guide them toward healing.

3. Mediating Conflicts: Acting as a mediator in disputes can help de-escalate situations that might otherwise lead to revenge. By facilitating open communication and understanding, believers can help resolve conflicts peacefully.

4. Teaching Biblical Principles: Educating others about the biblical teachings on revenge and justice can reinforce the importance of leaving vengeance to God. Bible studies and discussions can be effective in spreading this message.

In summary, the Bible consistently teaches against personal revenge, urging believers to trust in God's justice and to actively promote peace and reconciliation within their communities. By doing so, they can help prevent others from taking revenge and contribute to a more harmonious and forgiving world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 24:10
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered you to day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you: but my eye spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 25:24-31
And fell at his feet, and said, On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be: and let your handmaid, I pray you, speak in your audience, and hear the words of your handmaid.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 26:9
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Taking it for Granted.
... against you, and now takes occasion to revenge himself.". ... gains courage for extended
attacks, and others become sharers ... you are right; and, if I keep my present ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/taking it for granted.htm

Sermon for St. Peter's Day
... their office in the holy Christian Church to rebuke others. ... and taking upon themselves
wrongfully to keep them down ... not in any wise to regard or revenge it, so ...
/.../xxvi sermon for st peters.htm

On the Feast of St Timothy, or the Memorial of St Peter
... their office in the Holy Christian Church to rebuke others. ... and are taking upon
themselves wrongfully to keep them down ... in any wise to regard or revenge it, so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xii on the feast.htm

From the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment
... yourself, how can you expect others to keep it? ... the evil things said about them by
others so as ... follows from it"of the anger, hatred, revenge, and probably ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 34 from the seventh.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ...
... vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge," &c. ... have this aggravation above
the sins of others, that they ... if they break his statutes and keep not his ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter viii how to make.htm

Letter Xlvii. (AD 398. )
... which crime our Lord would have us keep at a ... to prevent us from taking pleasure in
revenge, in which the mind is gratified by the sufferings of others, but not ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlvii a d 398.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... By taking away that which is necessary for the ... You would undertake to revenge yourself;
would be plaintiff ... have the leper shut up, to keep others from being ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

The Yoke of Christ.
... and give, asking for nothing again; revenge not ourselves ... persons better than they
are; keep from bitter ... deny ourselves for the sake of others; live contented ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon viii the yoke of.htm

Obedience
... from the act; they live in the act of revenge, and in ... have gone with less pains to
heaven, than others to hell ... to fear the Lord thy God, and to keep his statutes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 1 obedience.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... is followed by hatred, the desire of revenge, etc. ... the most costly things, that we
think others cannot have ... of God's creatures that does not always keep His laws ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm