Image generated using AI
Romans 12 opens with a plea for healthy thinking. Good thoughts lead to good behavior. Bad thoughts lead to bad behavior. The text continues challenge upon challenge, each with a degree of difficulty. Now a final one: don’t seek revenge. This goes beyond being gossiped about or being cut off in traffic. Revenge is in context with vengeance – render punishment. Contrary to our natural response, we’re taught that personal revenge is not ours to take.
Moses: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge but love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Apostle Paul: “Do not seek revenge.”
Based on my limited brain power, here are 4 reasons to not seek revenge:
Vengeance belongs to God: Deut. 32:35 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” From earliest times, God said that vengeance is His responsibility. Biblical scholars agree: “No human being has a right to judge any other; only God can do that.” – William Barclay.
Vengeance may sound good, but it doesn’t produce good: Revenge on a personal level doesn’t set things straight; it usually makes them worse. Doug & Vickie Simpson knew this. Their son was killed by a drunk driver driving on a suspended license for previously driving drunk. Doug & Vickie visited the driver, prayed for him, forgave him then assisted him in getting help. When I read this, I asked, “Could I do that?” I know I can’t if I don’t change my heart, my natural urge to seek revenge on anyone who hurts me or those I love.
To take vengeance is to be overcome by evil: Evil cannot be conquered by evil. Hatred met with more hatred produces even more hatred. Booker T. Washington said, “I will not allow any man to make me lower myself by hating him.”
Revenge doesn’t allow repentance: It’s true most criminals get worse than better. It’s true some people suffer as a result of their sin (injury, death, etc.); some people suffer as a result of God’s ordained justice (legal system); some people will suffer in eternity. It’s also true some people repent and change their lives. But their change may not fit our timeline.
2 Pet. 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Trusting God can be tough when someone does evil and appears to escape consequences. If we don’t see justice quickly, the natural urge is to do something. Never forget – no one has ever slipped anything past God and never will. When someone harms you, don’t seek revenge. For trivial things, let them go. For weightier matters, use the legal process. For true evil, trust God’s hand of justice to avenge, either in this life or in the life to come. Don’t let evil turn you into evil. Also, never forget – you are greatly loved!
–Jackie Chesnutt, Chaplain and Emotional Support Coach for Myers-Davis (11/2/2026)
