August, 2018 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Vindictive Person

The character of the Month Series

Vindictive/vindicate: Disposed to seek revenge, revengeful, unforgiving, bitter, spiteful; to do harm, resentful, an attitude of one seeking to pay back—retribution, to blame others for your circumstances (from The American Heritage Dictionary).

The Bible has lots to say about revenge. God wants us to place any revenge into His hands. This is not easy to do. It takes tremendous strength not to lash out at those who have done us harm.

We can take revenge on others through our words, attitudes, negative behavior, and acts of violence. We see this all the time in our society—people are angry, not forgiving. “What you do to me, I will do to you,” this is the motto for so many groups in America.

Jesus had this to say about revenge and vindictiveness. Matthew 5: 38-42, AKJV: You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say to you, That you resist not evil: but whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him that asks you, and from him, that would borrow of you turn not you away.

God knows that this is a trick of the devil to destroy you. Hatred and vindictiveness will eat away at your life like cancer. It will keep growing and creates a desire within us to continue the behavior. Hatred breeds more hatred.

If I were once again raising children in my home, I would make learning about forgiveness and showing forgiveness to others a daily priority. There is so little forgiveness in our society that actually produces change and peace. We talk about forgiveness—we want forgiveness, but we give little forgiveness.

To show true forgiveness (and the offering of blessings instead) does not come naturally to any human being. Jesus did not say it was easy to do but a ‘must to do’ in order for us to find our own forgiveness and avoid the judgment of God. God forgives and we must also forgive. A vindictive person will not be found in heaven. How do I know this, the Bible says it’s so!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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