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Taking revenge is a natural tendency, as a form of defense when wronged. In the spiritual realm however, what we find natural to feel is usually not how God wants us to feel.

"'Vengeance is Mine' saith the Lord" is a quote from scripture that stands out in my mind. Whenever we are dealt harshly, accused of something we didn't do, or facing persecution, God would rather that we forgive our oppressors and deal kindly with them. It's not a very easy thing to do!

But then you have to take a look at what Jesus did, and everything else pales in comparison. Here was a man who never sinned, but was accused of blasphemy, and yet He let them strike Him on the cheek and pierce His body on the cross without so much as a word of anger against them!

We are human, plain and simple. Because of our humanity, we have flaws. We can never be perfect. Only Jesus was and is. But because He died for our sins, we are no longer held under the old law of being sentenced to eternal death. That is good news!

Every time we think of revenge-but not actually take revenge out on someone-that is still considered sin. Of course, we can't control initial thoughts, but we can redirect our thoughts when they start to head to negative levels. As soon as we think ill-will toward someone, we should get down on our knees and pray for that person. Pray for us to understand what would lead him or her to say/do what was done to us, and to forgive that person. Jesus would. How about you?

Learn more about this author, Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak.
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