The Christian and Revenge
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TITLE: The Christian and Revenge
SUBJECT: Sermon on the Mount
PROPOSITION: Jesus teaches us that the Christian should not adopt any level of revenge against the evil whether 1) Retaliation, 2) Resentment, or 3) Reluctance.
OBJECTIVE: Each person ought to understand that revenge at any level is sinful and ought not to be practiced by the Christian.
AIM: This lesson will focus on Matthew 5:38-42 and what Jesus taught about revenge.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 5:38-42
2. About the Text:
1) This is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
2) This sermon focuses on the character of those in the kingdom of God.
3) To be of the kingdom of God we must have the kind of character Jesus taught us to have.
4) This lesson focuses on the topic of revenge.
5) This should be clear from verse 38 that this is what Jesus is discussing in this context.
a. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’”
b. Jesus is quoting from Exodus 21:24.
c. The intent of the law was for the punishment to fit the crime as ruled by a judge.
d. But this had been turned into an excuse for personal revenge in Jesus’ day.
6) Jesus discusses the actions of evil people.
a. The abuser – “slaps you on the cheek.”
b. The litigator – “sues you for your tunic.”
c. The powerful (Roman soldier) – “compels you to go one mile.”
d. All of these are expressions of control.
7) Jesus does not discuss the behavior of the evil, per se.
8) His focus is on the attitude of the one being mistreated toward these evil people.
a. All of these are expressions of control.
b. Jesus does not want the Christian to be controlled by these things.
9) Christians are not to return evil for evil.
10) Romans 12:17-21.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Christians should not practice revenge against other people at any level.
I. Retaliation is a form of Revenge.
1. “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
1) From this we get the expression, “Turn the other cheek.”
2) Jesus is teaching us not to practice revenge by retaliating against an evil person.
2. The temptation is to respond in kind to this behavior.
1) If someone slaps you, the carnal desire is to slap them back.
2) This would be an “eye for an eye” type mentality.
3) It is vengeful to retaliate.
3. Jesus does not want the carnal self to be in control of our life, but the spiritual.
1) “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).
2) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
3) This aspect of not retaliating emphasizes self-control.
II. Resentment is a form of Revenge.
1. “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.”
1) Here is someone who uses legal means to take away property.
2) People develop attachments toward the things they own.
3) When they are forced away from us legally, we cannot retaliate lest the law punish us.
4) This creates resentment which is a form of revenge.
5) Resentment is showing anger or displeasure due to injury or insult.
2. The temptation is to respond emotionally with anger, slander, or ill-will.
1) If we can’t make them pay physically, we will make them pay emotionally.
2) This is still “eye for eye” type thinking.
3) It is emotional revenge.
3. Jesus does not want our minds to be dominated by resentment.
1) “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26).
2) “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).
3) “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke 6:31).
III. Reluctance is a form of Revenge.
1. “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”
1) Here is someone who has legal authority to use you as a tool.
2) Roman soldiers could impress strangers to carry their pack for one mile.
3) This is what Jesus was referring to here.
4) No one wants to be forced to do such work and upon completion.
2. The temptation here is to do this with reluctance.
1) One could reluctantly do the job for one mile and then quit.
2) He could do the job slowly, complainingly, and find little ways to resist.
3) One may get revenge through reluctance!
3. Jesus does not want us to do anything good with reluctance.
1) This is the “Do I have to?” mentality – begrudging attitude.
2) Instead, we are to go the extra mile – willingly do what others ask of us.
3) He wants us to be zealous for good works – “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).
4) “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
4. “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
1) As Christians, at any given moment, our attitude is to be one of service.
2) What we have, we want to share with others.
3) Who we are, we want to share with others also.
4) “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
CONCLUSION:
1. Christians are not to be vengeful people; we want what is good for everyone. To that end…
1) May we not retaliate when we are wronged.
2) May we not be resentful when we are wronged.
3) May we not be reluctant when we are wronged.
2. Remember that this is all about control!
1) Jesus is telling us that we are in control of ourselves and of our attitudes.
2) The world wants to control us through force to their ends and goals.
3) The Devil wants to control us through the flesh to revenge for our destruction.
4) Jesus wants us to control our hearts and minds for our benefit and to God’s glory.
3. Invitation