Basically, not to repay evil for evil. This theme, I have visited myself in the past. Knowing that you can not fight Satan with his weapons, but only with God's weapons, which are many, but include love, patience, and forgiveness. Many times, I've been in situations where it would have been all so easy to strike back, get revenge, etc. Yet, it's not the way. These do not solve anything. Matter of fact, such tactics and actions only create deeper hurts and wounds. Revenge is never the answer. It is an evil. It is best to leave revenge to the Lord, as He has said for us to do.
What is revenge? According to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge it means:
1: to avenge (as oneself) usually by retaliating in kind or degree
2: to inflict injury in return for <revenge an insult>
Revenge is self seeking justication for a wrong or perceived wrong done.
Notice the words "self" seeking justication....self justication. It is about our evil/sinful "self" within looking to protect "self" from hurts, wounds, injury, and wrongs. It's a self defense mechanism. It is "self" looking for it's own justice.
Revenge takes many forms. It can be shown by physical harm or confrontation or it can be a passive revenge such as a cold shoulder. Either way, it is an attempt to hurt or injure another as a form of payment (punishment) for a wrong.
We are by nature sinful creatures. Due to the fact of the fall of Adam in the garden. The fall, in a nutshell, created "self" as god. Self-rule, instead of God-rule. It is this self/sin nature that seeks revenge. However, once we are in Christ Jesus, His nature replaces this old sinful nature within us to the point which we allow Him to do so. (Yes, dear sweet ones, we have a part and choice in this.) Making the choice to either go with the old self nature and be revengeful or allow the new nature of Christ to replace that old nature, and release His nature through us, which is love. It is a choice we make, and He then empowers us to walk within the choice to love. Yes, love is a choice!
Jesus showed us the way of the Father...to hate evil and do good. He instructed us to leave revenge in the hands of God...who is perfect and is able to give the correct punishment of wrongs encountered. Not to repay evil for evil. It is allowing God to take care of us through all the pains, hurts, wounds, injuries, and wrongs experienced. It is putting trust in Him and in Him alone....faith!
So here is the final choice...to allow revenge (which is the counterpart of hate) to rule, or to let love rule.
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