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- Oct 26, 2007
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Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD. Leviticus 19:18 KJV
In an honor-based culture, people view every slight as an attack to be avenged. If someone criticizes you, you beat them up. If they kill one of your family members, you burn down their village and take all their livestock. Exacting vengeance was meant to prevent future attacks on one’s honor, but due to its escalating nature, it was also likely that a nation would wipe itself out over petty arguments, thus saving a rival nation the trouble of going to war.
Instead of seeking vengeance or holding grudges, God’s people were to let Him do justice while they were to treat each other with love. The practical reasons for avoiding self-annihilation were obvious, but it flew in the face of the prevailing culture. In many ways, it still does.
We often want to see our enemies pay for their attacks on us, but God doesn’t want us to take matters into our own hands. Romans 12:19 says, “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.’”
When someone wrongs you, pray for them. Recognize who is really in charge, and leave the vengeance to God.
Prayer: God, transform my thirst for vengeance into genuine love for my neighbor.
In an honor-based culture, people view every slight as an attack to be avenged. If someone criticizes you, you beat them up. If they kill one of your family members, you burn down their village and take all their livestock. Exacting vengeance was meant to prevent future attacks on one’s honor, but due to its escalating nature, it was also likely that a nation would wipe itself out over petty arguments, thus saving a rival nation the trouble of going to war.
Instead of seeking vengeance or holding grudges, God’s people were to let Him do justice while they were to treat each other with love. The practical reasons for avoiding self-annihilation were obvious, but it flew in the face of the prevailing culture. In many ways, it still does.
We often want to see our enemies pay for their attacks on us, but God doesn’t want us to take matters into our own hands. Romans 12:19 says, “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.’”
When someone wrongs you, pray for them. Recognize who is really in charge, and leave the vengeance to God.
Prayer: God, transform my thirst for vengeance into genuine love for my neighbor.
