One of the temptations you will have to fight continually is the tendency to take revenge on those who hurt you. Indeed, the greater the hurt the greater the temptation to revenge. Yet, the very idea of revenge runs against the truth that Christianity expounds. Seeking vengeance is fraught with several dangers. Firstly, it is an indication that one has not recovered from the injury suffered. There is no better way to capture this than what Francis Bacon said: “A man who contemplates revenge keeps his wounds green.” Letting go of offenders is hastening the steps to healing and restoration. Secondly, to the extent that one is seeking revenge is also to the extent that forgiveness has not been given. That brings one’s spiritual labour to vanity. It is clear that failure to forgive jeopardizes prayer, fasting, and every other spiritual service we have to offer.

“Seeking vengeance is fraught with several dangers… To seek out vengeance by ourselves is to take on a role that is strictly reserved for God. It will be absurd for man to usurp God’s role.”

There is yet a third danger. Denying forgiveness to others and seeking for vengeance instead makes us liable to similar treatment in future. It is only a matter of time when we will fall short of other people’s standards and expectations. If we fail to forgive now we disqualify ourselves from enjoying forgiveness. Finally, our text shows one more reason why we should stay off vengeance. It is God’s own prerogative to work out vengeance in His own way and at His chosen time. To seek out vengeance by ourselves is to take on a role that is strictly reserved for God. It will be absurd for man to usurp God’s role.