Four secrets to keep you from taking revenge

“Vengence is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).

That simple statement says it all:  I am supposed to let God avenge the wrongs I suffer.

Easy to say.

Sometimes, there swells up inside of us a passion to bring retribution.  Studies show that up to 20% of violent crime is based upon revenge.

Revenge CAN be overcome before it happens.

Here are four ways you can “unplug” from revenge before it gets activated:

1. “Overcome evil with good.”

This simple Scripture, written about vengeance (Rom. 12: 21), has been critical in my life for years.

It simply says to find an opportunity to bless your enemy.  If they are hungry, give them something to eat.  Showing an enemy kindness can disarm and shame them into reconciliation and apology.

I was seated near a leader who had developed harsh feelings about me. I noticed a bee in his hair that he could feel moving on his scalp. I reached across, lightly knocked the bee to the ground, and stepped on it.

He sat there silently for about five minutes.  Suddenly, he extended his hand to shake my hand.

Hostility ended!

One simple act of kindness can show an enemy your innocence of heart toward them.

2. “God turns evil into good.” 

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.  A few years later, he was the ruler of Egypt.

After Joseph’s father died, they feared Joseph’s kindness would turn to revenge.

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20).

It’s called perspective.  

Can you see someone’s cruelty toward you becoming a great blessing to you and many others?

Everything is working together for good.

Without his brothers' evil act, Joseph’s father and entire extended family would have perished from hunger in the famine.

Think long-term.  God has a plan.  Man’s evil will be turned into good in due time.

3. “Stop a grudge before it becomes vengence.”

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

An offense (no matter how slight) can become a “grudge.”  A grudge that is nursed can become revenge.

Cain carried a grudge against Abel, which became the first act of revenge.

That shows us one thing: Deal with hurt and offense before they become something you “carry”- a grudge.

Inwardly, forgive.  Outwardly, confess.  Settle a controversy before it can break out into revenge.  Most lawsuits could be settled with a simple “Please forgive me.”

4. “Set your mind on the Spirit.”

This is my favorite weapon against revenge.

“To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8: 6)

Whenever you think about “pay-back” for that person, focus on the Spirit.  Life and peace will immediately flood your entire being.

Think on the Spirit, not on the hurt.  You can never overcome revenge by your flesh.

These four principles will free you from all REVENGE…before it happens.