Have you ever seen The Count of Monte Cristo starring Jim Caveziel? I really prefer and encourage you to watch it before after instead of reading the 100,000 page version of Alexander Dumas’ classic. 🙂 In case you are not familiar with the story (which I am sure you are), Caveziel’s character (Edmond Dante) is falsely accused of conspiring with Napolean and is arrested and thrown into a prison called Chateau D’if. Dante lives to get out and somehow exact revenge on the three characters responsible for putting him there. It is a classic work on Revenge and Deception.
We often use statements like “what goes around comes around” and the biblical “you reap what you sow.” Have you ever watched a movie or a TV show and hoped someone “got it good” or was disappointed when someone didn’t? You know, then, the story of revenge. Most often betrayal/deception lies at the foot of revenge. The “Count” experienced it. I have experienced it. You have experienced it. Jacob experienced it. In fact, his name means “deceiver” or “supplanter.” Here is one case the name was prophetic. Cheating his brother out of his birthright, then out of his blessing, Jacob was ripe for Esau’s anger and revenge. So, he ran. But eventually his deception caught up with him in several different ways. The deceiver got deceived. I encourage you to read Genesis 25-33 to get the full story. To make a long story short: Jacob got a taste of his own medicine. Then God stepped in in a big way. I sometimes wonder if things would have been different if he had chosen God’s way all along. But then again, who am I to question the working of God? I am preaching about this story this coming Sunday.
Let me ask you: have you ever been wronged so greatly (or even small-ly) that you wanted to seek revenge? Have you seen someone get what was coming to them? Care to share? I would like to hear your thoughts.
So…you got me thinking…
Michael: I reckon that is good?? 🙂
I have not sought revenge…But I have been hurt so badly that I had a hard time letting it go…
Gotcha. In my limited experience and years (I have been a pastor for 35+ years and am 57) 🙂 I would say that it can be dangerous not letting go in the internal part of you. I have not sought revenge either (except in striking back with my mouth) but know what holding a grudge can do. Hopefully you have healed. Will be praying for you.
Thank you…yes I have healed…it’s wild how something so small & meaningless can affect us…you got a little on me in age…(27 and have only been in ministry for about 3 yrs) so it has been a pleasure seeing your heart…
Working on this as well….hmmm….seems every part of my life still needs a lot of work. That is the great thing about God, he will just keep chipping away and he keeps reminding me I won’t be a finished product until I take my last breath.
OUCH! This stepped on my toes…..I struggle with “getting even” sometimes.
I was really convicted of this a couple of days ago when I was reading chapter 20 of Proverbs (doing that Proverbs 31 day challenge)….
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. ~Proverbs 20:22
I have to remember that God can and will have the ultimate judgment and I need to leave it to Him. But it’s so dang hard when you feel so wronged, isn’t it?
ps. I left you a comment on your About Me post…can’t find your email to reply to some of the great comments you leave over at my place.
Michael: glad to hear that you have healed. Nothing blunts the Spirit’s work like unforgiveness. Just remember to respect us old people. 🙂
Danaye: absolutely correct. he chips away and chips away until He is finished…in eternity. Until then…well you know. Just keep allowing Him to chip away. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Michelle: Usually when I write I have either had to deal with something or am now dealing with it (or anticipate it). Glad you are open to the Spirit’s influence.
P.S. sent you an email yesterday I think. Check your junk mail. Sometimes my address goes to junk or spam. 🙁
I can honestly say that I have had to work hard to to not seek out revenge in the past. God has been faithful to me along the way and exacted the revenge himself.
Ahh.. man.. I LOVED the book. The movie is good but it doesn’t compare to the book. Honestly.. read the book!
As far as revenge… I believe that we seek recompense based on what we believe is ‘fair’ or ‘right’. Good thing God doesn’t use our measuring stick for fair or right.
Should be a great sermon come this Sunday.
Jim: Glad you worked hard. you have nothing to regret then. God is faithful to His Word. Thanks, as always, for the comment.
Tony: I too read the book several years ago. Been awhile for sure. I do agree with you on why we seek revenge. Certainly agree about God’s view as well. I would be in deep if not. Praying it is a God honoring one. Thanks.
I don’t think I’ve ever gone out to seek revenge (apart from with my tongue, which used to be very sharp), but I’ve certainly entertained long, involved and violent fantasies concerning errant friends, ex-girlfriends, colleagues, bosses, you name it. Latterly I have realised all it does is give me indigestion or ulcers.
Nowadays I more focus on being good (also I have fewer friends LOL), and when it gets stormy I concentrate on navigation.
Ivan: you are certainly not alone. I think many of us, if we are honest, may not have sought revenge in a violent manner but have entertained imaginary conversations with our adversary. The result? Exactly what you state. We are the loser not the person we hold the grudge against. Thanks for the comment.