Is revenge ever justifiable?
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (NIV)
Everyone has had the desire to take revenge on someone who has harmed them. But when is taking revenge the right thing to do? Let us explore this question with the help of a potent Bible verse.
Understanding Romans 12:19
Romans 12:19 encourages us to love unconditionally, live in harmony with one another, and triumph over evil with good. It gives us this context: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
Exploring the question
Let us address the question now. Can revenge ever be justified? Others might counter that it's a normal reaction to being mistreated, a means of restoring balance or pursuing justice. But we have a higher expectation of ourselves as Christ's disciples. We are encouraged to walk away from injustice and trust God to handle it. For instance, consider the biblical story of Joseph. He suffered much, even after being betrayed by his own brothers, but he opted to forgive rather than exact revenge. Ultimately, Joseph made amends with his family because God's plan had triumphed.
In our lives, we may encounter situations in which we feel justified in seeking vengeance. Maybe we are betrayed by a friend or undermined at work by a coworker. During those times, remember Romans 12:19. We show our faith and obedience to God's word by choosing to forgive and giving justice to Him.
Thus, even though getting even when we have been wronged could be alluring, Christians are held to a higher standard. Romans 12:19 reminds us to put our faith in God's justice and to withstand the desire for vengeance. By abiding by this rule, we honor God and gain the freedom from letting go of our grudges and grievances.
