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Doing life is challenging enough but more so when our hearts are filled with revenge and we need to heed advice to be the better person. "Turn the other cheek," they say - yeah, right! "An eye for an eye," they say - well, no chance of that either you may think. Jesus reminds us that our value rests in God, not man; that He will stand in judgement - not man; that we are to examine our hearts and demonstrate Christ's love in the world. Living life with revenge can be a tough call - yet, it need not be!
Message Notes 04/08/2024
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV)
This scripture leads us back to Exodus 21, Leviticus 24 and Deuteronomy 19 when the main intent was to control excesses, mute violence and limit greed.
Laws were implement where the punishment, determined by a judge, would fit the crime to stop free-for-all vigilante justice takers.
Our nature of revenge prompts us to want to hurt harder than we've been hurt, encouraging violent or destructive behaviour.
Jesus does not call us to accept abuse but rather to respond in creative, non-violent ways to injustice without being a doormat.
Don't react in kind, but take a stand.
"It’s an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth until the spirit of Christ enters into us. Then something higher is expected of us, but not until then," M Lloyd Jones
Instead:
Expose injustice in a non-violent way;
Adopt a heart posture that subdues the fleshly desire for revenge; and
Don't fight as the world fights
Jesus wants to unburden us of a vengeful spirit and He calls us to an examination of conscience as well as an examination of our hearts - scripture is very clear about this:
1/ "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else," 1 Thessalonians 5:15
2/ "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse," Romans 12:14
3/ "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God's wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written 'vengeance is mine, I will repay' says the Lord," Romans 12:19
BIG FIVE APPROACH TO REVENGE
1/ An eye for an eye | Matthew 5:38
Don't get into tit-for-tat arguments.
2/ Turn the other cheek | Matthew 5:39
Honour shame culture .
Don't accept abuse but resist retaliating in violence.
“If I am not what you say I am, then you are not who you think you are.” James Baldwin.
Your identity is in Christ and you deserve to be treated with dignity and do the same for others.
3/ Give them your coat too | Matthew 5:40
Taking the coat off someone's back (as with their dignity) aligns to shame culture.
Rather be generous to expose underhandedness.
4/ Go the extra mile | Matthew 5:41
Don't accept shameful treatment inflicted on you.
Choose to respond with selective subversive generosity and hospitality.
5/. Give | Matthew 5:42
Be generous but not stupid.
Avoid enabling addictive or socially unacceptable habits
Amy Jill Lavine's three practical examples to dealing with revenge in a modern world:
The Slap - Don't escalate violence.
The Suit - Don't give up your agency.
The Subjugation - Shame your attacker and retain your honour.
In the midst of a state of revenge, demonstrate a Christ-like spirit, stand up for injustice without violence, and be respectful of class, gender, race and other differences. This does not mean that we should tolerate being a victim of narcissism, abuse or other destructive behaviour, but rather seek wise counsel in dealing with it.
Above all else, Jesus reminds us to guard our hearts from the dark clutches of revenge - to surrender this weakness and wickedness to Him, and to walk in His light accepting that vengeance is His alone.
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