Last night at Revolve…
Talk/Discussion: The Sound of Revenge – Love vs. Hate
What does “revenge” sound like? Got a lot of responses talking about the sound of a gun cocking, crashing noises, yelling. But, I think revenge has the sound of silence as you sit and think about how you’re going to make someone pay.
God’s Response: Romans 12v17-21 – (17) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (20) On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
So what. What does that mean for us? What’s our response.
I. Change our focus
Verse 17:
- Don’t just focus on the bad stuff in others. Focus on what is good in our enemies.
- This has the potential to change our lives by helpling us live in love and grace rather than anger and hate.
- This also has the potential to change our enemies lives by showing them God’s grace and mercy. By seeing our reaction, there’s a possibility for their lives to be transformed by the love of God.
II. Change Our Actions
Verse 19: Why should we let God repay and avenge the wrong that was done to us?
- Only God’s vengence is just.
- Only God can completely make right the wrong that was done.
- When we seek revenge, we have a tendency to sin in our anger. (Ephesians 4v26)
- When we seek revenge, we no longer live like, or look like Jesus.
Verse 20:
- Free from revenge, followers of Jesus can put their efforts into giving kindness and mercy – even toward our enemies
- By showing kindness and mercy, our enemies may experience shame so that they may confess and ask for forgiveness for what they’ve done and be made friends of God
- It’s not about punishment, it’s about life change.
Verse 21:
- If we give in and seek revenge, we will be overcome by evil. But,
- If we change our focus, we overcome.
- If we change our actions, we overcome.
- We can’t keep this up on our own strength.
- We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12v1-3)
- We need to be reminded of what God loves. (Jeremiah 9v23, 24)
- To check yourself, see if your life and actions look like Galatians 5v22.
Bottom line – In the battle between Love vs. Hate, God wants love to win out – every time.
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