NYI GAUTENG

*Day 23-Is the Desire for Vengeance Sinful?*

WHAT GOD SAYS:

_When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:9-10_

To enjoy true freedom from the bo***ge of vengeance, you must understand a shocking truth that you may never have considered before. Is the desire for vengeance evil? Revelation 6 reveals a surprising revelation about what’s on the mind of those martyrs who are in heaven: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood?” These saints powerfully desired vengeance—right in the middle of heaven! Therefore their desire could not be wicked!

They are in the most Holy Place, pleading with God to pay back those who wronged them. This outright cry for vengeance is something we did not expect to see in heaven. We probably all figured the desire for vengeance is sinful, and always displeasing to God. However, that is not the case. In fact, our Holy God, who cannot sin, both desires and will carry out His desire for vengeance! 2 Thessalonians 1:8 reveals that God will take out vengeance at the Second Coming of Jesus “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, stop beating yourself up and allowing the enemy to condemn you for having a desire for justice that is by no means offensive to God. Your initial desire for vengeance is not sinful, but keeping it alive by not forgiving the person always degenerates into unforgiveness, which is sinful.

What then is the solution? Realize that your desire for vengeance is not evil or sinful unless you do not handle God's way when you are mistreated. We must forgive quickly and thoroughly, and then immediately delegate our desire for vengeance to Someone who will justly fulfill it on our behalf. We’ll explore this fascinating truth more tomorrow.

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