Power for Relationships:
Release Not Revenge – Part 3

Scripture Reading:  Romans 12:17-21

Key verse: Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

We need to spend one more day on this subject of “Release Not Revenge.”  It is not an easy task to truly release someone, who has hurt you, from your power for revenge.  Returning evil for evil unfortunately comes very naturally to all of us.  We must call on the spiritually transformed spirit within us to react differently.  God provides the power for us to do this, giving us the ability for healthy relationships.

            We first need to understand that the evil one must be recognized and dealt with in these situations.  He wants to rob and kill any chance for us to enjoy the relationships we are a part of.  He will do his best to keep reminding you of the pain.  Our job is to resist the evil one at every suggestion.  The Bible promises that if we resist, he will flee (James 4:7).  Resisting will include several efforts of resistance; the devil doesn’t give up with one effort. 

            Each time our flesh or the evil one brings up the hurt, we must speak back”!  We must proclaim that we have released that hurt—we will not allow it to come back into our mind.  This is what God does for us, removing our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).  We must do the same for others who hurt us.

            When the evil one comes uninvited into the picture, we must invite God as well!  Use Jesus’ name in speaking back to the evil one.  We are not alone.  The Lord is near! (Philippians 4:5).

Father, thank you for releasing me from my sins and your power for revenge.  I will do the same for those who hurt me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.