Start Here

Devotional: Don’t Take Revenge

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

Devotional: Don’t Take Revenge

It’s easy to want to retaliate when someone wrongs us, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. In Romans 12, Paul reminds us that vengeance belongs to God. Our role is to overcome evil by doing good, trusting that God will bring justice in His perfect timing. Instead of seeking to “get even” (seek revenge), we are called to display Christ’s love through acts of kindness and forgiveness, even toward our enemies.

Scripture: Romans 12:19-21

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good“

Devotional Thought: Don’t Take Revenge

As believers, we’re called to reflect God’s character in our interactions with others, including those who wrong us. Paul urges us not to take matters into our own hands when we’ve been hurt. Instead of seeking revenge, we are to trust that God will bring justice.

This doesn’t mean that we ignore wrongdoing, but rather that we leave it in God’s hands. He knows the hearts of all people and will deal with wrongdoers in His time. Our focus should be on responding in love, even when it’s difficult. When we extend kindness to those who hurt us, we are demonstrating the love and forgiveness that Christ showed us.

The phrase “heap burning coals on his head” refers to a practice in ancient times where burning coals were carried as a sign of repentance. By responding to wrongs with kindness, we may lead our enemies to feel remorse and turn to God in repentance. Ultimately, our goal is to overcome evil with good, reflecting the grace and mercy that we ourselves have received from God.

Bringing it Home: Applying What We Learned

  • Surrender Your Desire for Revenge: Reflect on any situations where you may have been wronged and give your desire for vengeance over to God.
  • Show Kindness to Your Enemy: Instead of seeking to retaliate, find ways to extend love and kindness to those who have wronged you.
  • Trust in God’s Justice: Remember that God sees all things and will bring justice in His time. Your role is to respond with love and grace.

Prayer

Lord, help me to trust in Your perfect justice. When I am wronged, give me the strength to respond with love rather than revenge. Teach me to overcome evil with good, just as You have shown me through Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Questions for Reflection (Practical Steps to Halt Revenge)

This week, challenge yourself to let go of any desires for revenge and instead, focus on showing kindness and love to those who have wronged you. Reflect on the following questions:

  • Are there any situations where I am holding onto a desire for revenge?
  • How can I show kindness to someone who has wronged me this week?
  • Do I trust that God will bring justice in His perfect timing?

By focusing on these questions and applying the principles from Romans 12:19-21, you can experience the joy of forgiveness and the freedom found in Christ alone.

Take the Next Step on Your Journey

Thank you for joining me today. If you found this lesson helpful, I encourage you to explore more resources and support on my website, https://jameslongjr.org/. You can also watch my video on my YouTube channel.

Finally, would you consider joining our Lessons for Life monthly membership or our online group coaching, where you’ll find powerful coaching videos, a supportive community, and step-by-step guidance for lasting transformation?

Remember, true change is possible when you walk in God’s grace and for His glory. Until next time, may you find peace, hope, and joy in Christ alone. Blessings!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

Related

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Get Updates

Gratitude journal

When was the last time someone said thank you to you? When was the last time you said thank you to someone else? So many people today struggle with a lack of thankfulness and ingratitude. This leads to struggles with complaining, criticizing, and comparing. Gratitude and thankfulness provide a powerful remedy for these problems. This gratitude journal helps us to identify what we should be grateful for and what we do as a result of seeing life as a gift.

God's grace prayer journal

Do you struggle with applying the truth that you learn during your study of God’s word? This God’s grace prayer journal will allow you to focus on gratitude and live in contentment in life. The journal pages encourage you to observe what you are learning from the Bible text, evaluate how you have failed to live according to the truths stated, seek forgiveness, and develop godly plans for change.

Giving hope

Do you struggle with the lack of hope? Do you find yourself struggling with doubt and insecurity during times of great challenge? During those times, you need to find your rest and assurance in pondering, personalizing, praying, and practicing what God’s Word says. In the short devotional, spend time meditating and studying each of these passages. Write down whatever comes to mind in the spaces below. And let God speak to you.

Discovering Godly patterns

One of the keys to growing in Christlikeness in our lives is to unearth and discover, and biblically evaluate our thinking patterns, speaking, and acting. This worksheet will help you be honest and specific about areas in your life that are not meeting biblical standards in thinking, speaking, and acting.

Counseling review journal

The God who began a good work in you will continue it through your lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face-to-face. God works for us, and God works in us. He enables us to become more like Christ every single day. This work is progressive and continual in this life. This worksheet helps us review and evaluate gains made during counseling and discipleship, show gratitude to God for what he has done, and develop plans for future growth and change.

Conflict review worksheet

There probably is not a day that goes by that we do not have some level of conflict with others. This worksheet helps us focus on the problem and not the person. It helps us evaluate how we have handled a dispute and how we should deal with it moving forward.

Bible study notes sheet

Do you ever struggle with doing a Bible study or journaling the key ideas from your reading? This Bible Study Note Sheet will encourage you to ponder and meditate on Scripture. Also, God’s Word is meant for you, so this worksheet will help you personalize what you are learning. It will also guide you in learning to pray God’s Word, and finally, it will encourage you to put into practice the principles and promises you find in reading the Word of God.

Anger journal

Anger is a significant issue for so many people. People often stuff or spew their anger, but very few learn to study their anger. This journal assignment will help you to do just that. It will help you understand, evaluate, and respond to your anger in better ways.

4 Steps to rethinking a problem

Do you ever find yourself getting overwhelmed with problems? Do you find yourself struggling with thinking clearly during a challenging situation? This four-step approach to rethinking a problem will help.

4P problem-solving approach worksheet

Problems can seem overwhelming. When we are in the midst of a significant crisis, many of us struggle with defining the problem and implementing helpful solutions. This worksheet helps us to identify three unbiblical and unproductive ways of handling problems. It also encourages us to destroy problems, not people, as we deal with issues in a biblical and God-honoring way.