The Bible tells us God will demand justice. As Romans 12:19 says, "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." You may think it is up to you to make someone pay for the wrong they have done.
Romans 12:19-21 New Living Translation (NLT)
For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.
The Bible says that “God is slow to anger” (Psalm 145:8) and we're glad that He is but knowing that He will take up your offence frees you from its burden.
Cataclysmic Wrath: This is the wrath of God unleashed through natural disasters, hurricanes, tornados, mudslides, forest fires, sink holes, and various other disasters like that of tsunamis. The rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16:31-35 is an example of this type of wrath.
You might be thinking that it will also provide great relief from the pain that you are feeling or some sort of satisfaction. Sadly, evidence shows that people who seek revenge instead of forgiving or letting go, tend to feel worse in the long run.
The Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 12, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 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.
People who enjoy hurting others and seeing them in pain are more likely to seek revenge against those who have wronged them, according to a new study. The study found that sadism is the dominant personality trait that explains why certain people are more likely than others to seek vengeance.
Reformed theologian William M'Gavin opined that "the four sins that cry to heaven for vengeance; these are, wilful murder—sin of Sodom—oppression of the poor—to defraud servants of their wages" are greater in gravity than the seven deadly sins.
Pray them aloud and pray them boldly as they take us into the brokenness, disorder, and mess of our humanity. Embrace the dissonance of God's word when it strikes you as uncomfortable, disagreeable, or flat out wrong.
Romans 12:19 in Other Translations
19 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."
It's okay to pray about your anger. Like David and other psalmists, you might even sing it (using a loud electric guitar, perhaps). And you'll probably find, when you've thoroughly expressed what you're feeling, you'll be in a better place to pray the things you know to be true.
God Hands Us Over
In the Bible we see this phrase over and over—when God gets angry, he “hands us over.” But what does this mean?
Anger itself is not a sin, but the strong emotion, unrestrained, can lead very quickly to sin. As God said to Cain, “It's desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).
Given what Jesus says in Luke 22:36, given the fact that a sword is a lethal weapon, Jesus affirms lethal force in self-defense. And in this New Testament passage, Jesus doesn't limit the time of day. Certainly, lethal force should be avoided if possible.
Vengeance is mine is a biblical quotation from: Deuteronomy 32:35. Romans 12:19.
God's wrath is provoked.
The anger of God is not something that resides in him by nature; it is a response to evil. It is provoked. The Bible says, “God is love.” That is his nature. God's love is not provoked. He does not love us because he sees some wisdom, beauty, or goodness in us.
Lord God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go, and keep evil far from me.
Faithful God, help us to trust you in these times of uncertainty. Let us rest on your words of comfort. When we are weak and overcome with fear and doubt, help us to feel your presence. Remind in our inner hearts your words to fear not; to rest assured that today you promise that you will fight our battles.
Lord help us to fight injustice in the right way, may we always look to you as the solution. Oh Lord, that there would be more and more hearts transformed by your grace. May this time of injustice produce opportunities for conversation to talk about your grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Pride (superbia), also known as hubris (from Ancient Greek ὕβρις) or futility. It is considered the original and worst of the seven deadly sins on almost every list, the most demonic. It is also thought to be the source of the other capital sins. Pride is the opposite of humility.
Rev. Graham: Only one sin that can't be forgiven is on God's list — and that is the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This alone is the unforgivable sin, because it means we are saying that the Holy Spirit's witness about Jesus is a lie (see Luke 12:10).
1. A young Julius Caesar was once kidnapped by pirates. After paying off the ransom, Caesar raised an army, captured the pirates and had them crucified. The story goes that 25-year-old Julius Caesar was sailing on the Aegen Sea when he was captured by pirates.
Forgiveness is more powerful than revenge. vengeance only begets vengeance. it is a destructive cycle. But when you forgive, you inspire change in both yourself and the other.