JUDGEMENT VS VENGEANCE
In the last module we emphasized the need for believers in Christ Jesus to identify and deal with spirits behind those who do evil against us. However we can ask God for His judgment on those who are continuing in evil.
Many believers do not know that there is a big difference between asking God for His judgment and asking Him for vengeance.We can ask God for His judgement even for ourselves and others so that we can be corrected and restored but we are told clearly in the new covenant that vengeance belongs to God.
Judgments are God's decisions on the issues of men. They involve the condition where God steps into a situation to decide on an issue so as to liberate someone under oppression, give him his right and mete out possible punitive measure to the oppressor.
In most cases, Judgement is given to bring correction to the offender. It is usually not a tool just to punish offenders but to instruct and correct them. It always carries a love motive in it.This is why as believers we can ask God for His Judgement both for ourselves and others so that we can learn to get back on track before it becomes too late.
We often give Judgement on issues in our home which may sometimes require some punitive and corrective measures being meted to those under us. This is God’s example according to Hebrews 12:6-11.This is why prisoners are sent to jail and programmes are put in place to try to reform them there. The judgement passed on them is seen as both a punitive and corrective measure.
However, sometimes the Judge can decide that the oppressor should be made to experience the same or even greater evil or pain that the oppressor meted out to the oppressed.The degree of punishment is decided by the Judge who considers the degree of the offense and the circumstances surrounding it. Hence some judgments can give out punishments which can be perceived as vengeance.
Vengeance on the other hand focuses solely on giving out punishments without giving the offender an opportunity to be corrected. It seeks to make the offender suffer what the offended suffered or even more.
When a believer seeks vengeance his mind is covered in hatred for that person and there is no provision for the offender to find repentance and be saved.We often hear prayers like “return to sender” and our minds do not focus on the evil spirits as the sender but on the humans they are using. When praying this kind of prayer we must remember to focus on the spirits behind the operation as the sender and the need to spare the lives of those being used by the devil so that they can have the opportunity to be saved.
Apostle Paul did this to Elymas when he was trying to use his evil powers to stop the Governor from accepting the gospel. Apostle Paul commanded him to become blind for a season. He did not kill him but gave him an opportunity to see the power of God so that he can find repentance and be saved.
God knows that seeking for vengeance will make our hearts to be engrossed in hatred and bitterness hence He told us that vengeance belongs to Him not us.He wants us to focus on living the love life so we do not get engrossed in hatred and bitterness against anyone including people we do not know.
Some believers even pray vengeful prayers against fellow believers who offended them. They don't mind killing someone with their prayers just to take possession of an earthly position or property. This is certainly not the way to live the new creation life.
To be continued...
EVANGELIST OGHOGHO IKPONMWOSA (PHD)
PRESIDENT: SAVE THE LOST GOSPEL EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY
EMAIL: oghoghoik@gmail.com
TEL: +2348060676748
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