Creator, Father, King #173

Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.

DURING THE SERMON ON the Mount, Jesus told his audience, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39).

Many people have misunderstood this topic. When Jesus made the “eye for an eye” reference, he was quoting several Old Testament passages (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; and Deuteronomy 19:21). God never intended those laws to allow an Israelite to exact personal revenge. Rather, “eye for an eye” was a standard for Israel’s judges to apply in legal proceedings to ensure that the punishment fit the crime.

Jesus was correctly interpreting Old Testament law. Because he knows the human heart is weak and prone to sinful anger and revenge, he was also helping us understand ourselves better!

What’s It Mean?

We get offended easily, don’t we? Sometimes, we get bent out of shape over the smallest things, such as a funny look or a misinterpreted conversation. Other times, we can be legitimately hurt by incredible cruelty from others. Either way, our sinful hearts often crave revenge.

Scripture, though, calls us to be different. When hurt or angered, our response should be to love and forgive. Vengeance is God’s domain, not ours. Why? Because God’s vengeance is never vindictive or sinful like ours, but is always righteous and governed by his holy character.

God is both graciously loving and justly wrathful. A day is coming when he will punish the wicked for their evil deeds. But this is not a day to gloat over, because God desires that all unbelievers repent (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

In Romans 12:14-21, the apostle Paul beautifully elaborates on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount teaching on vengeance and loving your enemies. “Dear friends,” he writes, “never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God” (today’s verse).

The “eye for an eye” principle might be good for the courtroom, but not for your life! Rather, follow Paul’s advice in Romans 12:18: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

Now What?

Read Romans 12:14-21 and ask God if there’s someone you should forgive.

Did You Know?

When Jesus said “offer the other cheek” in his “eye for an eye” teaching, he was simply using hyperbole to make a point: don’t return the insult. He certainly wasn’t advocating that people take a beating without defending themselves.