It is a common belief that revenge is a way to get justice and harmony in life. But what does the bible say about revenge?
The bible teaches us not to seek revenge or judge others harshly, but to seek justice and forgiveness.
To understand the biblical point of view on revenge we must first look at what the bible says about justice and love.
The bible calls us to live a life of love, mercy, and justice. The Bible states “Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18).
This verse demonstrates God’s commandment to show love and mercy to our neighbors, and not seek revenge.
In the Bible, God also states in Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, ‘I’ll repay evil’; wait for the LORD, and he will rescue you.”
God calls us to trust in him and his justice rather than relying on our own strength and actions. He assures us that revenge belongs to him, not us.
God calls us to forgive rather than seek revenge. The Bible states in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
It is impossible to follow God’s will and show him love while seeking revenge or bearing a grudge.
The bible further encourages us to forgive others as an example of a Christ-like example.
In Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
By showing grace and forgiving others, we demonstrate the loving spirit and will of God.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, says this: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God” (Romans 12:17, 19).
Seeking revenge through our own means does nothing to bring justice, only discord. Only God has the power to bring justice, and he tells us to leave it to him.
God calls us to be forgiving and merciful with those that have wronged us. Jesus himself once said, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28).
Instead of seeking revenge or judgement, the Bible states that justice and peace can only be restored through mercy, grace, and love.

Alternatives to Revenge
Seeking revenge is neither desirable nor biblical, but that doesn’t mean we have to do nothing. There are more biblical alternatives available if someone has wronged us. We can choose to forgive them and move on, without seeking revenge. We can pray for them, that they may come to repentance and be forgiven. We can, in essence, become a positive witness for God’s justice and mercy.
Forgiveness, not revenge, is God’s answer to our hurt. Christ offered us a model of unconditional love and forgiveness when he forgave us for our sin. We should strive to live up to that example of grace and mercy with those who have wronged us. Rather than striving for revenge, we should pray that God’s justice would be enacted, and work to provide a positive witness to his love.
We can also turn the wrong into a lesson. What can we learn about ourselves and our relationships so that in the future we won’t be so easily hurt? Can we adjust our expectations to a more Christ-like style, where serving, forgiving, and loving others is the standard? Can we ask ourselves what Jesus wants us to do with our hurt? Before choosing revenge, it is important to explore every possible alternative.

Better Understanding of God’s Plan
Despite what the world may say, the Bible clearly states that revenge is not an answer. While it can be difficult to know how to deal with our hurt, the Bible can help us find the answers. Developing a better understanding of God’s plan for us will help us understand how to best answer hurt and wrongs.
We should consider how God’s plan of justice works: He is a just God and will always make right everything unjust. He made a promise that, as we trust Him and seek Him, our prayers will be answered. Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6). When we choose to submit our pain, wrongs, and grievances to God through prayer, we can be assured that He will work justice in our life.
We should also consider how we can do justice in our own lives. We should strive to be just and merciful in our lives, and to seek God’s justice and mercy in all actions. When we humbly seek God’s assistance, these situations can become occasions of growth and learning, rather than anger and bitterness.
Finally, we should remember that God will never forsake us. The Bible says that God “will never leave us nor forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:6). We must remember that seeking revenge can never restore the balance, but relying on the power of God can. Trusting in God’s power with faith and obedience can ensure we are on the path of righteousness.

Choosing to Forgive
Despite the pain of being wronged, we can choose to forgive those who have hurt us. Forgiveness is not easy, and forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation. While some situations are too broken to heal, we can still choose to forgive. This doesn’t mean that the wrong is excused, but that we are setting ourselves free from anger and bitterness.
We can choose to forgive by acknowledging our hurt and forgiving the other person. We can let go of our desire to control the situation and trust in God. We can focus on our feelings and let go of blame and judgement. We can instead try to understand the other person’s perspective and choose to forgive them.
Forgiveness is a difficult but important act. It releases us from resentment and anger that can cause us to become bitter, and it releases the other person from guilt and responsibility. It frees us to look forward and make positive changes in our lives. As we look towards the future and seek God’s wisdom and justice, we can trust that God will work through our hurt and make everything right.

The Power of Love
Ultimately, revenge is not the answer. We cannot do justice through vengeance. The answer lies in love. Love for ourselves and love for our enemies. When we choose to love instead of hate, true justice is done and God’s will is done.
The Bible says that “love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Love is stronger than revenge and has the power to heal. We can choose to offer grace and mercy, even when our hearts are broken. We can choose to seek God’s justice, rather than our own justice, and trust that God will make all things right in the end.
Love is a difficult but rewarding choice. It gives us the grace and strength to endure the hurt and stand firm in the promise of God’s justice. We can choose to offer love to those who have wronged us, knowing that God will love us in turn.
Love is the ultimate answer to the question of revenge. As long as we follow in the footsteps of God and strive for mercy, grace, and love, we can trust that justice will prevail and that we are on the path to peace and happiness.

A husband of one wife, father of two beautiful girls, laborer of Lord, Jesus Christ, and a servant to God’s His saints. I hope to encourage you by God’s grace. Thank you for stopping by.