Revenge is a desire to harm someone in retaliation for a perceived wrong or injustice. It is a natural human emotion, but it is not one that is condoned by Christianity. Revenge should be avoided because it perpetuates a cycle of harm and can lead to bitterness and resentment. Instead of seeking revenge, Christians are called to forgive those who have wronged them and to seek reconciliation. Revenge can also be harmful to our own mental and emotional health. When we hold onto anger and resentment, it can consume us and lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, revenge can be a distraction from our own personal growth and development. By focusing on revenge, we are not able to move forward and live our best lives.
What does the bible teach us about revenge and the consequences of revenge?
The Bible is clear that revenge is not something that should be sought after. 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.” This means that we should leave justice in the hands of God and not seek revenge ourselves. In addition to the command to not seek revenge, the Bible also teaches us about the consequences of revenge. Proverbs 24:17-18 says, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” This means that seeking revenge can actually lead to God’s disapproval and can prevent justice from being served in the long run.
What does the bible teach us about managing vengeful people?
As Christians, we are called to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This means that we should approach vengeful people with compassion and seek to understand their perspective. We should also set healthy boundaries and seek the help of a trusted pastor or counselor if necessary. It is also important to remember that forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. While we are called to forgive those who have wronged us, we are not necessarily called to reconcile with them if they continue to exhibit harmful behavior. It is possible to forgive someone and still maintain healthy boundaries for our own well-being.
Christians say no to Revenge
Revenge is a natural human emotion, but it is not one that is condoned by Christianity. Instead of seeking revenge, Christians are called to forgive those who have wronged them and to seek reconciliation. Revenge can be harmful to our own mental and emotional health and can prevent justice from being served in the long run. As we interact with vengeful people, we should approach them with compassion, set healthy boundaries, and seek the help of a trusted pastor or counselor if necessary. May we always seek to honor God with our actions and responses, and may we be known for our love and forgiveness.
Below is our full list of bible verses on revenge (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Revenge
Romans 12:19
“19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Romans 12:17-21
“17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Arguing Persecution Reputation
1 Peter 3:9
“9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
Related Themes: Kindness Peace Vindictiveness Arguing
Matthew 5:38-39
“38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bullying Justice Retribution
Proverbs 24:29
“29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.”
Related Themes: Retribution Vindictiveness
Leviticus 19:18
“18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
Related Themes: Bullying Bitterness Love Morality
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Related Themes: Peace Selflessness Vengeance Retribution
Mark 11:25
“25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Forgiveness Bitterness Trespassing Unforgiveness
Matthew 26:52-54
“52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
Related Themes: Violence Murder Self-Defense Killing
Romans 13:4
“4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Related Themes: Justice Retribution Killing Respecting Your Parents
Proverbs 20:22
“22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Hate Vindictiveness Retribution
James 1:19-20
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Frustration Patience Frustration
Deuteronomy 32:35
“35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Retribution Vindictiveness Vengeance
Matthew 5:7
“7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
Related Themes: Mercy Trespassing Forgiveness Arguing
Proverbs 10:12
“12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Love Hate Forgiveness Strife
Ephesians 4:31-32
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Letting Go Gossip Criticism
Hebrews 10:30
“30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Justice Retribution Vengeance Vindictiveness
Colossians 3:25
“25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Related Themes: Justice Punishment Respect Partiality
Proverbs 3:5-6
“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Related Themes: Frustration Trust Letting Go Faith Life
Matthew 6:14-15
“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Forgiveness
1 Peter 2:21-23
“21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”
Related Themes: Suffering Arguing Fidelity Reverence Arguing
James 2:12-13
“12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
Proverbs 6:34
“34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Jealousy
Luke 17:3-4
“3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Repentance Criticism Bitterness
2 Corinthians 13:11
“11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Related Themes: Peace Power Saying Goodbye
Psalm 94:1-2
“1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.”
Related Themes: Retribution Vindictiveness Vengeance
Acts 7:54-59
“54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Related Themes: Persecution
Galatians 6:7-8
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Reaping Lust Reaping What You Sow
Acts 23:12
“12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.”
Related Themes: Vindictiveness
Exodus 21:24-25
“24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
Related Themes: Vindictiveness Retribution Crime Self-Defense Vengeance
