When someone wrongs you, rebuke with love and correct in truth but leave the judgment to God.
Man, this one is hard to do. When someone wrongs me, I generally like to bypass the rebuking and correcting and go straight for the judging.
That’s why I, and every other mortal being like myself, make poor judges.
Why? For starters, our knowledge of right and wrong is all over the page. It’s under the influence of sin and our experiences and prejudices.
Too often, leaving judgment out of our repertoire of responses leaves us feeling like we got cheated. We say, “Whoever did this or that, is gonna pay.” It feels good to get even. But is everything that feels good–really good?
According to the apostle Paul, the answer is “No.”
In getting back on someone for something they did to you, I would offer this insight. Do as Paul says, rebuke and correct in love – not revenge. Not only is it the biblical thing to do but also can be the most effective response as it unnerves the person who wronged us. They will wonder what’s going on with us? It robs them of the pleasure of thinking their dirty deed affected us in a negative, life-altering way. When we rebuke with kindness and love while correcting in truth, we are truly responding as Jesus would do.
The Tiny Words. Big Life. recommendation is to leave the judgment to God. After all, judgment from us, being mere mortals, only adds to our own suffering. We are not meant to be judges but rather we are meant to be givers of life.
So, surprise your victimizers. Forgive those that have wronged you. Show them the love of God and you’ll be victorious on earth and in the eternal home to come in Heaven.
Romans 12 : 19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.