As
Christians, we know revenge is wrong. We quote Romans 12:9,
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (which is Paul
quoting Deuteronomy 32:35). We don't think of our reactions as
revenge. But many times, when we have an ungodly reaction to
something, we're really taking revenge, punishing the other person
with our wrath.
Reaction,
revenge, striking back, whatever you want to call it, is The Great
Authority Stealer. It cements us as the Victim, and the other person
as the Perpetrator. In the ungodly relationship between Victim and
Perp, who has the power, the authority? The Perp!
But
that is not God's plan for us. As the Bible says in Hebrew 6:9, “I
am confident of better things in your case.” We can express
emotion, as long as we also exercise godly self-control. “In your
anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Here's a free hint: Use “I
feel...” statements rather than “You did...” statements.
An
ungodly reaction comes from a lack of trust in God. When we trust
God, and the first word out of our mouth is praise to him in that
circumstance (and y'all know that circumstance in your own life), we
retain our Authority that Jesus gave us through His blood to speak
life into that situation, and to the other person.
And
we make Satan stub his toe. Let's make that bugger hobble on
crutches!
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