A Vicious Cycle

Verse of the day: Judges 15:7, Samson said to them, “Since you would do a thing like this, I will surely take revenge on you, and after that I will cease.”

Samson is a good example of what happens when we refuse to forgive and choose vengeance. It becomes a vicious cycle. To begin with, Samson would have no need for vengeance if he had made the choice to not be unequally yoked with a Philistine woman. Much of his pain and sorrow in his relationship with this woman of Timnah had to do with the fact that she was not a follower and worshipper of God. Her behavior, and her father’s behavior, caused him nothing but trouble, which God used to bring about the punishment of Israel’s oppressors. However, we see Samson making one bad decision after another, not because he was dumb. It seems that he was actually a very intelligent man, as is evidenced by the riddle he posed to the Philistine men in chapter 14. Morally was a different story. Every time he was wronged, he chose vengeance, which led to the Philistines responding with revenge. Here, once again, in his anger, he is choosing vengeance. Although God did use Samson’s propensity towards anger and revenge to strike against the Philistines, it does not justify Samson’s choices. For us, the born again Christian, God specifically commands us to both love and pray for our enemies, for those who hurt and offend us, and leave vengeance to Him. In Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Romans 12:19-21 tells us, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Trying to get even with others, if we succeed, is not success. It only creates situations where now the other person, regardless of who is at fault, begins to find ways to exact their own form of vengeance. Hence, the start of a vicious cycle that could end in tragedy and with broken relationships that may never mend in this lifetime. This is especially sad when it happens amongst God’s people, who are commanded to love and pray for one another and are commanded to forgive one another. Ephesians 4:30-32 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving, one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” When we hold on to grudges and bitterness, refusing to forgive others, regardless of the offense, we grieve the Holy Spirit. I would ask, what makes us so special that we can accept Jesus’ forgiveness every moment of every day, but then turn around and refuse to forgive others with the same forgiveness we have received? Ponder that today.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).