by esther phinias | 5 September 2019 08:46 pm09
(A Call to Radical Forgiveness and Resting in God’s Justice)
One of the most dangerous spiritual traps that leads countless souls toward eternal separation from God is unforgiveness. Jesus Himself issued a serious warning in Matthew 6:15 (NKJV):
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
This is not a suggestion—it’s a divine condition. You can cry out for mercy from morning till evening, but if there is unforgiveness in your heart toward someone who wronged you, your prayers will not penetrate heaven. Unforgiveness blocks our access to God’s mercy.
Jesus reinforced this truth through the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23–35. A servant who had been forgiven a massive debt refused to forgive a fellow servant a small one. As a result, the master withdrew his forgiveness and handed him over to tormentors. Jesus concluded by saying:
“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (v. 35).
Forgiveness Is Not Optional—It’s a Command
As long as we live in this fallen world, offenses will come. People will hurt us, insult us, betray us, and slander us. Jesus said clearly in Luke 17:1, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” But how we respond to offense determines whether we reflect the heart of God—or the nature of the flesh.
Forgiveness is not forgetting the offense, nor is it excusing sin. It is choosing to release the offender into the hands of God. It is refusing to carry the burden of bitterness, trusting God to bring justice in His way and time.
If we refuse to forgive those who insulted us, gossiped about us, abused us, or mistreated us, we are essentially saying that their sins are greater than ours, and we deny our own need for grace.
Yet the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). This levels the playing field. If we have been forgiven an eternal debt we could never repay, who are we to withhold forgiveness from another?
Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)
…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
The Deception of Vengeance
The world teaches us to stand up for ourselves, fight back, and make others pay. But this mindset is completely opposite to the Kingdom of God.
Vengeance—the act of trying to repay evil for evil—is a sin that masquerades as justice. It feeds the flesh, fuels bitterness, and invites spiritual death. It creates a cycle of hatred that only the love of Christ can break.
The Lord says plainly:
Romans 12:19–21 (NKJV)
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.
Therefore, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This kind of mercy shocks the world—but it reflects the very heart of God. Christ did not call us to repay evil with evil, but to bless those who curse us and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). That is divine love.
False Teachings Promote Revenge
Beware of any teaching that tells you to pray for your enemies to die, to suffer, or to fall. These are doctrines of demons masquerading as spirituality. Scripture calls us to pray for our enemies, not against them:
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
God never authorizes us to curse people. Vengeance, judgment, and justice belong solely to Him. We are His ambassadors—not His executioners.
Hebrews 10:30–31 (NKJV)
For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The Spiritual Reality Behind Conflict
Often, the people who hurt us are not the real enemy. Behind every offense is a spiritual battle. The apostle Paul reminds us in:
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age…
If God were to open your spiritual eyes, you would see how many demonic attacks have been launched against your life—and how many times God protected you. The person who insulted you is not your true enemy. Satan simply uses people to provoke you into hatred so he can trap your soul in bitterness.
Let Go—and Let God
Today, if you’ve been harboring plans to retaliate, lay them down. Crucify that desire for revenge at the foot of the cross. As you do, you’ll experience a divine peace and freedom you’ve never known. The weight you feel lifting from your heart is the very burden of sin—and Christ will take it away.
Take time to search your heart. Who have you not truly forgiven? Whose name brings pain, anger, or bitterness when you hear it? Begin to speak forgiveness aloud:
“I forgive you, in Jesus’ name.”
As you do, the Holy Spirit will begin to heal your heart. That release you feel is the sign that Christ has also released you from your own guilt and chains.
Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Final Encouragement
Let this be the day you bury vengeance, cancel every grudge, and embrace the radical forgiveness of Christ. Choose mercy over retaliation. Choose peace over bitterness. Choose the Spirit of Christ over the spirit of the world.
James 2:13 (NKJV)
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
May the Lord help us live lives of forgiveness, mercy, and love. Only then will we reflect the heart of the One who forgave us first—Jesus Christ.
God bless you richly.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/09/05/vengeance-belongs-to-the-lord/
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