“Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will save you…Repay no one evil for evil…If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Prov. 20:22; Rom. 12:17-19).
Like instant gratification, personal vengeance provides only passing pleasure, then it turns to gravel in your mouth (Prov. 20:17). The wisdom of resisting the temptation of recompensing evil with evil is manifold. Consider these seven prudent reasons:
- It develops the spiritual assets of patience and being longsuffering. Waiting for the Lord is a vital tool for spiritual victory.
- It provides the offender an opportunity to repent. God is longsuffering with all because He wants them to repent (2 Pet. 3:9) so they are not justly punished by His righteous wrath.
- It obeys God. “Give place to (God’s) wrath” is in the imperative, not the “suggestive” mood.
- It prevents the sin of presumption. “Vengeance is Mine,” says the Lord (Rom. 12:19). Carrying out the work of God when you have not been authorized by Him to do so is presumption.
- It is an act of sinful unbelief. “I will repay,” says the Lord (Rom. 12:19). To doubt God’s promises and providence is unbelief. Unbelief is sin.
- It provides genuine victory over evil. Returning evil for evil perpetuates evil in our world. Overcoming evil with good eliminates evil in our world. A better world begins with me.
- It provides you with an opportunity to become more Christlike. Turning the other cheek (Mat. 5:39) by feeding an enemy and/or giving him a drink when thirsty—imitates the One who healed an enemy’s severed ear in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:50-52) and prayed at Calvary “Father, forgive them for thy know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
