Revenge

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Revenge. What does it say in the bible? ‘vengeance is mine’ sayeth The Lord. He does not say to ‘get even’ with a brother that wrongs us.

However it seems that revenge is a popular notion and pastime in today’s society. There is even a tv show about it - seeming to celebrate it. It would seem that if a person knowing full well that revenge is against God’s law, goes ahead a plots some revenge, especially if it involves breaking other commandments as well - that this is a mortal sin.

The church may say - why are you lay people taking the instruction of the faithful into your own hands on these matters - and we may reply ‘well someone’s got to do it’. Do we have to wait until we’re all saints to do it? - well we’d be waiting forever then.

I found this article on revenge - it is often confused with social justice, however it is not social justice, where punishment occurs over and over again in a fashion not in accordance with the law for a supposed crime committed a long time ago.

psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201402/don-t-confuse-revenge-justice-5-key-differences

Basically don’t justify one’s revenge by calling it justice. Call it as it is. Bad character.
 
The best revenge is a life well lived. (Mostly because you will not be prosecuted for it.)
 
Revenge is not a new topic by any means, it is as old as man himself. Revenge has always been with us because the passions of man never change. Just check out the literature before and after the Bible.

My own favorite revenge proverb comes from Confucius:
“If you would set out on a journey of revenge, first dig two graves.”
This is about thinking twice and about choosing forgiveness over revenge.
 
The musical Sweeney Todd, as dark as it is, is a perfect cautionary tale against revenge. Sweeney is so possessed by his rage and intended revenge that he loses the loved one(s) he tried to protect as well as his own life. The movie “Munich” also looks at the collateral damage of vengeance blindness.

The truth about revenge is that it is usually constructed poorly by faulty and frail human minds and is ignorant of the effects of the vengeful act which: 1. ) Does not undo the first injustice and 2.) Often injure others as well as the offended person who seeks vengeance.

The phrase “vengeance is mine, says The Lord” is deeper in that God knows the best way to handle that person’s sin.

The obsession with such TV or movies of revenge denotes a narrow minded attempt without the awareness of God’s hand in restoring justice.

Now give me a good classic about justice and you have my ear for truth.
 
I agree, but the general society is the same as it was in Jesus time. People want to get even now, not wait for God to dish out punishment. God will punish them when they die, but most people are not patient enough (let alone nonbelievers). Even in the Bible you will see people pleading for God to give punishment. Our lives are a blink of an eye for God. What he knows is the appropriate time for punishment will seem like forever to us. There can also be an issue of trust, where we don’t “trust” that God will hold to his word and punish them. We know that God is merciful. When someone has really hurt us, it can be very hard to accept that God has forgiven them.
 
Thank you everyone for all your replies. Yes, its a twisted path the old revenge. I was wondering whether it could be avoided by the wronged party simply approaching the one who has injured them and demanding an apology, stating the reasons for the hurt or at least demanding an explanation. This would seem an opportunity to avert the process of revenge if a person appears to be choosing revenge. It would seem in cases of revenge, that this approach to demand an apology is not used or asserted by the injured party? - or maybe it is but to no avail?

I think the article highlighting the differences between revenge and social justice/justice is good to know. Sometimes there might be a temptation to use ‘social’ justice as a form of revenge. eg. the pharisees at Jesus’ crucifixion.
 
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