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

Referring again to the negative (cf. v. 17a) Paul then exhorted his readers not to take revenge after they are misused. Instead they should leave room for God’s wrath (lit., “for the wrath”), because God has promised to avenge His people: It is Mine to avenge, I will repay (Heb. 10:30). David’s refusal to kill Saul on two occasions when it seemed that God had delivered Saul into David’s hands is a classic biblical example of this principle. 1

Application

  • Confess your anger towards others as sin. Pray for them, instead of cursing them.
  • If you want to justify your anger, your will become a very bitter person, and nothing will ever get better in your life.

Prayer

Lord, forgive my “get even” attitude. Help me to remember each day that You have never once responded to all my failings with a “get even” attitude.

1. Walvoord, John F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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Tommy Blumberg

Tommy Blumberg

Tommy Blumberg was ordained as a Calvary Chapel pastor in 1985, where he served as an assistant pastor at Calvary Fellowship, in Seattle. In 1992, Pastor Tom, his wife Pam, and their three daughters moved to Bellingham and began a Bible study, which led to the founding of Calvary Chapel Northwest. Tom blogs regularly at TommyBlumberg.com.