YOUNG PEOPLE ASK . . .What's Wrong With Getting Even?

The Folly of Retaliation

The Scriptures thus give this advice:  "Return evil for evil to no one. . . .Do not avenge yourselves." (Romans 1:17, 19)  Retaliation-whether it involves physical violence or just cruel words-is ungodly. At the same time, such vengeance is simply impractical and unwise.  For one thing, violence usually result in more violence.  (Matthew 26:52) And cruel words often beget more cruel words.  Remember, too, that anger is often unjustified.  For example, can you really know that the person who offended you bore you ill will?  Could it be that the person was simply being thoughtless or crude?  And even if malice was involved, doe the situation really  make retaliating the right thing to do? 

Consider the Bible's words at Ecclesiastes 7:21, 22:  "Do not give your heart to all the word that people may speak, that you  may not hear your servant calling down evil upon you.  For your heart knows well knows even many times  that you, even you, have called down evil upon others."  Yes, it is unpleasant to have people say bad things about you. But the Bible acknowledges that it is a fact of life.  Is it not true that you have probably said thing about others that would better have been left unsaid?  So why should you over-react when someone says something unkind about you?  Oftentimes, the best way to handle teasing is simply to ignore it.  

Along the same  lines, it is unwise to over-react when you feel that you have been mistreated. A teenager named David recalls what took place when he played basketball with some fellow Christians.  "Some one from the other team hit me with the ball," says David. Quickly concluding that this was a malicious act, David retaliated, throwing the ball back at the other player.  "I was real mad," admits David. But before matter deteriorated further, David prayed to Jehovah.  He said to himself, 'What am I doing, wanting to fight a Christian brother?' Later, they apologized to each other. 

In such situations it is good to remember the example of Jesus Christ.   "When he was being reviled, he did not go reviling in return.  When he was suffering, he did not go threatening."  (1 Peter 2:23)  Yes, when under stress, instead of reacting, pray to God and ask him to help you to maintain self-control. He will generously  "give holy spirit to those asking him." (Luke 11:13) Instead of retaliating when someone has offended you, perhaps the thing to do is approach that person and talk about it.  (Matthew 5:23, 24) Or if you are the victim of some ongoing form of serious harassment, perhaps from a school bully, do no seek an ugly confrontation. Instead, you need to take practical steps to protect yourself.

Next time: YOUNG PEOPLE ASK . . .What's Wrong With Getting Even?/A Youth Who Put Away Rage

From the Awake! magazine