Revenge is retaliating for the evil done to you by repaying evil with evil. It is the injury or damage inflicted on someone in retribution for harm or damage inflicted on others.

Many factors influence your success, one of which is your capacity to handle disagreement wisely. Your ability to overlook offenses demonstrates your strength. A vengeful spirit is indicative of immaturity. To say, “I will do to him as he has done to me,” is foolish.

Most great men in the Bible have one thing in common: they do not avenge themselves; they do not reward evil for evil. For example, when Abraham learned that the enemy had kidnapped his nephew Lot, he rose immediately and pursued the enemy, fought, and rescued him, disregarding his previous insubordination. In addition, because of Lot, he interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah when God revealed His judgment concerning them.  

Moses prayed for Miriam, asking God not to punish her for speaking against him. David did not avenge himself when he had the opportunity to kill Saul, the king of Israel, who had attempted to destroy him multiple times.

While on the verge of death, Stephen prayed to God that God would not demand his blood from those who had murdered him. Similarly, while suffering the agony and disgrace of the cross, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prayed for those who crucified Him. There must have been reasons why these people did not seek vengeance.

WHY YOU MUST NOT SEEK REVENGE.

It is a command from the Lord.

‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

” See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Vengeance belongs to God.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

“O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs-O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!” Psalms 94:1

God judges every act of vengeance.

‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,” ‘therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword.” Ezekiel 25:12-13

Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity; His anger tore perpetually, And he kept his wrath forever. But I will send a fire upon Teman, Which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.” Amos1:11-12

Vengeance is an expression of bitterness and hatred.

‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,” Ezekiel 25:15

“I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.”‘ Ezekiel 25:17

It is against the character of the kingdom.

“But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. Lk9:53-56

God turns evil done against you around for your good.

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Gen.50:20

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom.8:28

Jesus gave us an example of how to handle evil done against us.

” who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;” 1 Peter 2:23

Vengeance attracts curses instead of blessings

“Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enters their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel. Genesis 49:5-7

When you refrain from vengeance, you will inherit God’s blessing

“not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” 1Peter 3:9