“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

Romans 12:19 ESV

“As I believer in Jesus Christ, the most useless and time-wasting act anyone can do is to take vengeance against someone to destroy or plot their fall.”

The Bible advises us not to seek vengeance, but to forgive with the same grace that has been given to us through Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness puts out the fire, while vengeance is like setting an entire forest ablaze.

It takes enormous energy to plot and carry out revenge. It drains you physically, mentally, and emotionally. And in the end, vengeance rarely succeeds it often backfires, causing more harm to you than to those you sought to destroy.

True vengeance belongs only to God. The Bible reveals that God takes vengeance personally and promises to repay evil in His time and His way.

The Bible records a powerful example of God’s vengeance.

King Joash was made king in an unusual way. His wicked grandmother, Athaliah, had murdered the entire royal family to seize power. But the high priest, Jehoiada, rescued baby Joash and hid him in the temple for six years.

When Joash was seven years old, he was revealed and crowned as king. Under the guidance of the high priest Jehoiada, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. But after Jehoiada’s death, Joash abandoned God and turned away from godly practices, leading the people astray.

God sent prophets to warn him, but Joash rejected them all. Among those prophets was Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, the very man who had saved Joash’s life and mentored him.

In a shocking act of betrayal and ingratitude, Joash deceived the people and ordered Zechariah to be stoned to death in the temple courtyard. As Zechariah was dying, he cried out, “May the Lord see this and avenge!” appealing to God for justice against the king who repaid kindness with murder.

God’s judgment came swiftly. The Aramean army invaded Judah. Though they were a small force, God delivered the much larger army of Judah into their hands. Joash was severely wounded, and later assassinated in his bed by his own officials. He was denied burial in the royal tombs, bringing dishonor to his reign and his generation.

God avenged the blood of Zechariah and brought shame to the house of Joash. (2 Chronicles 24)

This story reminds us that God is involved in every detail of your life. He sees your pain and understands the betrayal you’ve experienced.

The backstabbing and the heartbreak from loved ones have not gone unnoticed. The ungratefulness of family or friends has not been forgotten. The very hands you once held may have pushed you down but God has seen it all.

So listen: give it to the One who owns vengeance. God has promised, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Romans 12:19).

He will repay in such a way that the situation and even the people who caused it will lose their power over you. God’s vengeance not only brings justice to the ungrateful but also blesses you in ways that put your enemies to shame.

Do not waste your strength holding on to rivalry. Instead, save your energy to experience the great blessing that God has prepared for you one so glorious that even your enemies will envy it.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to surrender my pain and desire for revenge into Your hands. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me. Let me trust in Your justice and find peace in Your presence. Replace my bitterness with Your blessing, and let Your vengeance bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.