Proverbs 24:29

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about revenge:

Proverbs 24:29 (ESV)

Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;

I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

Payback is a way of life in today's society.   When we are done wrong by someone we are encouraged to do wrong back.   We are not to respond in this way, according to Solomon's proverb.   God knows we are wicked and failed people.  To do wrong to someone who fails is simply not forgiving and gracious.   Jesus tells the story of the unforgiving servant who was forgiven by his master for much and then refused to forgive his own servants for something little.  It is a tempting to be ready to pay it back.   If God were to pay us back for the deeds that we have done we would all fail and be lost in a sea of wickedness.   God is gracious to us and willing to forgive us.    The problem with payback is that we fail to account for our human condition ... we are only sinners.   To have a payback mindset is to put yourself in the place of judgement.   When we payback others we are acting as judge and jury.  Only God can judge.   We might have feelings of judgment but we must give them to God and allow Him, only, to judge.