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Have you ever had a friend that was known for having a spirit of retaliation? It is easy to want to "get back" at someone when we have been wounded or wronged, but God's Word instructs us to behave differently. Choosing the road of retaliation builds a harsh and unapproachable emotional wall. God wants his children to bring forgiveness and healing to hurting situations, not a tit-for-tat attitude. Entrust your grievances to God; he will take care of you! (Character Matters, Dr. Steve and Megan Scheibner)
Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."-Proverbs 24:29
What is the result of retaliation? Does it resolve anything, really? Where does it end?
The reality is that retaliation and vendettas don't solve anything. They only work to escalate the problem. This happens because each time someone decides to "get back" at someone else, the other person then feels justified to strike back. Only this time the response has to be more severe- a pathetic attempt to try to intimidate the other person into submission. You see this most tragically with street gangs. The stupidity builds upon itself until people end up dead and low self-esteem thugs end up in prison.
Retaliation is birthed out of low self-esteem and selfishness. Sadly, these people who are trying to demonstrate strength and courage are revealing the exact opposite. They are showing their fear to the world. They are broadcasting that they are afraid that they're not good enough; that they're not strong enough, not smart enough, that they just don't have what it takes to cut it in the world. They are still scared little kids hiding under the bed, and they don't want you to know it.
The sad thing is that people who foster the attitude of revenge and bitterness are only destroying themselves. The more they feed their fear and hostility the worse it gets. The stronger the hold it gets over them. The stronger the hold that Satan has on their heart. Hanging on to slights and hurts kills people. It makes them angry and bitter. It allows Satan to keep their focus on themselves and off the cross of Christ.
Forgiveness is the solution, but why should we forgive?
The better question is: Where would we be if Jesus had had an attitude of retaliation instead of forgiveness?
The answer is simple: We would be doomed. There would be no salvation had Jesus selfishly sinned like that. If getting even was more important to Jesus than God's plan of salvation, he would have never come into the world. He would have let us get what we deserve, but thankfully Jesus loves us, and didn't suffer from the selfish attitude of retaliation and revenge. He lived a perfect life and showed us exactly how to handle personal attacks and injustice.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Have you ever had a friend that was known for having a spirit of retaliation? It is easy to want to "get back" at someone when we have been wounded or wronged, but God's Word instructs us to behave differently. Choosing the road of retaliation builds a harsh and unapproachable emotional wall. God wants his children to bring forgiveness and healing to hurting situations, not a tit-for-tat attitude. Entrust your grievances to God; he will take care of you! (Character Matters, Dr. Steve and Megan Scheibner)
Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."-Proverbs 24:29
What is the result of retaliation? Does it resolve anything, really? Where does it end?
The reality is that retaliation and vendettas don't solve anything. They only work to escalate the problem. This happens because each time someone decides to "get back" at someone else, the other person then feels justified to strike back. Only this time the response has to be more severe- a pathetic attempt to try to intimidate the other person into submission. You see this most tragically with street gangs. The stupidity builds upon itself until people end up dead and low self-esteem thugs end up in prison.
Retaliation is birthed out of low self-esteem and selfishness. Sadly, these people who are trying to demonstrate strength and courage are revealing the exact opposite. They are showing their fear to the world. They are broadcasting that they are afraid that they're not good enough; that they're not strong enough, not smart enough, that they just don't have what it takes to cut it in the world. They are still scared little kids hiding under the bed, and they don't want you to know it.
The sad thing is that people who foster the attitude of revenge and bitterness are only destroying themselves. The more they feed their fear and hostility the worse it gets. The stronger the hold it gets over them. The stronger the hold that Satan has on their heart. Hanging on to slights and hurts kills people. It makes them angry and bitter. It allows Satan to keep their focus on themselves and off the cross of Christ.
Forgiveness is the solution, but why should we forgive?
The better question is: Where would we be if Jesus had had an attitude of retaliation instead of forgiveness?
The answer is simple: We would be doomed. There would be no salvation had Jesus selfishly sinned like that. If getting even was more important to Jesus than God's plan of salvation, he would have never come into the world. He would have let us get what we deserve, but thankfully Jesus loves us, and didn't suffer from the selfish attitude of retaliation and revenge. He lived a perfect life and showed us exactly how to handle personal attacks and injustice.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin,
And no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.- 1 Peter 2:21-23
God bless
Jason Fredrick
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