Do Not Seek Revenge

• How do you feel when you are holding a grudge against someone?

• How is it possible to hold a grudge against someone and love him or her at the same time?

“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.’ “
Leviticus 19:18

This verse from Leviticus shows us that from the very beginning, God did not want his people seeking revenge or holding grudges. Even way back then, God was instructing his followers to love their neighbors as themselves.

And still today, God’s people should not seek revenge. God’s people should be motivated by love and should strive to glorify God with every thought they think and every action they take. The idea of revenge cannot mesh with love or with glorifying God.

Revenge is a sin, and just like any other sin, Christians must work to avoid it. We need to avoid the temptation of revenge. We need to pray for strength to avoid this sin. And if we do make a mistake and think vengeful thoughts or actually take revenge on someone, we need to ask for forgiveness and turn away from this sinful behavior. A vengeful attitude will only separate us from God.

PRAYER
Dear God, please help us to not seek revenge or hold grudges against people. Please help us to forgive others as we have been forgiven and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.