Revenge feels natural when someone hurts us — but the Bible calls us to something greater: forgiveness and trust in God’s justice. Though we may want to “get even,” Scripture reminds us that vengeance belongs to God alone.
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19
Choosing not to seek revenge doesn’t mean ignoring injustice — it means trusting that God sees, God knows, and God will act righteously.
💔 What the Bible Teaches About Revenge
From Genesis to Revelation, God consistently warns against revenge. Why? Because revenge traps us in bitterness and distances us from His peace.
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you.” — Proverbs 20:22
Instead of paying back evil for evil, we’re called to respond with grace — showing the same mercy that God has shown us.
Forgiveness is not weakness — it’s faith in action.
📖 20 Bible Verses About Revenge and Forgiveness
⚔️ God’s Justice, Not Ours
- Romans 12:17–19 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath.”
- Deuteronomy 32:35 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip.”
- Proverbs 24:29 “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.’”
- Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Hebrews 10:30 “For we know Him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’”
💞 Forgiveness and Mercy Over Retaliation
- Matthew 5:38–39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.”
- Luke 6:27–28 “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
- Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- Ephesians 4:31–32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.”
- Matthew 18:21–22
“Peter asked, ‘How many times shall I forgive my brother?’ Jesus answered, ‘Seventy times seven.’”
🌿 Trusting God to Bring Justice
- Psalm 37:7–9
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him… those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
- Proverbs 16:7
“When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
- 1 Peter 2:23
“When they hurled insults at Him, He did not retaliate… He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
- Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come… with divine retribution He will come to save you.’”
- Nahum 1:2–3
“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God… but the Lord is slow to anger and great in power.”
🌈 Overcoming Evil With Good
- Romans 12:20–21
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
- Proverbs 25:21–22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good.”
- Micah 6:8
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- Matthew 6:14–15
“If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
💬 Reflection: God’s Justice Is Perfect
The hardest part of forgiveness is letting go of control — but that’s exactly where faith begins. When we hand our pain to God, we’re saying:
“Lord, You see what I can’t fix. You fight for me in ways I can’t imagine.”
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14
Revenge promises satisfaction but delivers bitterness. Forgiveness releases freedom. Trusting God’s justice doesn’t mean we excuse wrong — it means we let the Judge of all the earth decide what’s fair.
🌿 How to Let Go of Revenge Biblically
- Pray for your enemies. It softens your heart and releases bitterness.
- Remember God’s mercy toward you. The forgiven can forgive.
- Seek peace, not payback. (Romans 12:18)
- Let God handle the outcome. His timing is always just.
- Focus on healing, not hurting. God restores what revenge can never fix.
FAQ: Bible Verses About Revenge
What does the Bible say about revenge?
The Bible clearly teaches that revenge belongs to God alone (Romans 12:19). Christians are called to forgive and trust God’s justice.
Why shouldn’t we seek revenge?
Because revenge keeps us trapped in anger and prevents healing. God’s justice is perfect — ours is not (Proverbs 20:22).
Does forgiving mean forgetting?
No. Forgiveness means releasing the debt, not denying the hurt. It’s a choice to let God bring justice and healing.
How did Jesus respond to injustice?
Jesus never retaliated — He forgave those who crucified Him, saying,
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
What’s the best verse to remember when hurt?
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21
🌈 Final Reflection
Revenge may feel satisfying for a moment — but forgiveness lasts forever. God calls us not to win fights, but to win hearts.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9
If you’ve been wronged, take heart — God sees, God knows, and God will repay. Let Him fight your battles and fill your heart with peace that no revenge can ever give.
