How to live life as a Christian, Do not Avenge Yourself

If we look to scripture, specifically Romans 12, we can find help on how to live this life as a Christian. When we look to Romans 12:19-20 we read that we are NOT to avenge ourselves. When we put wrath in its proper place, it helps us live this Christian life.

Just because you’re a Christian, it doesn’t mean you automatically have all the answers on how to live life. But we try our best by reading, praying, studying God’s word, and relying on the Holy Spirit. Even when we are doing all of that, we sometimes struggle to know what the right thing to do is.

*Every Monday I will post another important aspect from scripture, on how God wants us to live life like a Christian. I will do this until we have covered the whole chapter.*

SCRIPTURE:

Romans 12:19-20

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.”

BEHAVIOR:

The next behavior is to not avenge yourself. When we put wrath in its place and let Jesus take revenge on whoever deserves it, we are living how God calls us!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What does it mean “do not avenge yourselves.”? When you finish reading through verse 20, you will understand exactly what it means. First, it means that we are not to take revenge out on those who have hurt us. Secondly, it means that we are to let Jesus take the revenge when He see’s fit, if He see’s fit. Lastly, it means that we are to shower them with kindness and help them when they need it! In doing this, we are being a witness and we are setting a foundation for God to work in their life.  

HOW DOES THIS HELP US?

How does this help us live this Christian life? First, these couple of verses require us to live out many of the behaviors from Romans 12. Secondly, when we put wrath in its place, by replacing it with kindness, we will eventually make them feel guilty and that opens the door for God to pursue revenge or forgiveness on them, It will be up to them. If we do not live out the behaviors that God calls us to, we miss out on so many blessings! Blessings can range from planting seeds in the lost, encouraging struggling Christians, and letting Jesus be our foundation (which helps us get through those times of persecutions and trouble). Not avenging ourselves, helps us to live this Christian life.

COMING UP:  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We hope you search our Free Bible Studies from Christian Fellowshipping for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believes.

ROMANS 12

verses 1-2

​I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

verses 3-8

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

verses 9-16

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

verses 17-21

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 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.