Definition and Context:
Seeking revenge refers to the act of retaliating or exacting retribution for a perceived wrong or injury. In the biblical context, revenge is often contrasted with the principles of forgiveness, mercy, and justice as outlined in Scripture. The Bible addresses the human inclination towards revenge and provides guidance on how believers should respond to offenses.

Old Testament Insights:
The Old Testament law, particularly in the Mosaic Law, includes the principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" (Exodus 21:24), which is often misunderstood as endorsing personal revenge. However, this principle was intended to limit retribution and ensure justice was proportionate, administered by the judicial system rather than individuals.

The account of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37-50) provides a profound example of overcoming the desire for revenge. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ultimately forgives them, recognizing God's sovereign plan: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good" (Genesis 50:20).

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament further develops the theme of refraining from revenge, emphasizing love and forgiveness. Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, teaches, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:38-39). This radical teaching calls believers to respond to wrongdoing with grace and patience.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistle to the Romans: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord'" (Romans 12:17-19). Paul underscores the importance of trusting God to administer justice rather than taking matters into one's own hands.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to follow the example of Christ, who, despite suffering unjustly, did not seek revenge. Peter writes, "When He was reviled, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). This attitude of entrusting oneself to God's justice is central to the Christian response to offenses.

Forgiveness is a key component in overcoming the desire for revenge. Jesus instructs His followers to forgive repeatedly, as seen in His response to Peter's question about forgiveness: "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22). This teaching highlights the boundless nature of forgiveness expected of believers.

Conclusion:
The biblical perspective on seeking revenge is clear: believers are called to resist the natural inclination to retaliate and instead pursue peace, forgiveness, and trust in God's ultimate justice. Through the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, Christians are guided to respond to wrongs with love and grace, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with others.Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.
Topicalbible.org

Leviticus 19:18
You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Topicalbible.org

Sunday after Ascension Day
... If you are unwilling to be patient under injustice, then go on hating and
envying, impatiently blustering about and seeking revenge. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... as Christ did, so should we conduct ourselves in our sufferings; not approving or
assenting to whatever may be heaped upon us, but yet not seeking revenge. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... a rude people, who were to be cultivated by degrees, allowed divorce; seeking to
place ... the law of Christ so completely shuts out the desire of revenge, that it ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... If we resist the smaller evils of life, we thereby manifest a spirit of pride seeking
revenge; but when the larger evils come upon us, they waken other motives ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

On the Symbols of Pythagoras.
... not desire," [3011] took away all memory of wrong; for wrath is found to be the
impulse of concupiscence in a mild soul, especially seeking irrational revenge. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter v on the symbols of.htm

"But when You have Again Set Sail from that Place with the view of ...
... Let those behold this as their own work, who, in seeking to revenge him, have wished
to injure me, let them behold their own glory, and being avenged, let them ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xviii but when you.htm

Lord Jesus, Cause Me to Know in My Daily Experience the Glory and ...
... If seeking does not secure the answer, let seeking pass on to the more energetic ...
that has purified the heart from all the elements of hate, revenge, and ill ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xiii lord jesus cause.htm

Whether the Object of Anger is Good or Evil?
... But the desire for revenge is a desire for something good: since revenge belongs
to ... good or evil being in, or being done to, another, either seeking this or ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the object of anger.htm

Book Two He Concentrates Here on his Sixteenth Year, a Year of ...
... also has its own glory, and so do the powers to command and to overcome: and from
these there springs up the desire for revenge. Yet, in seeking these pleasures ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book two he concentrates here.htm

Sermon for St. Peter's Day
... gestures, so that the weak shall be able to mark that he is seeking and purposing ...
their superiors, the latter ought not in any wise to regard or revenge it, so ...
/.../xxvi sermon for st peters.htm

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