Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?

[LayHong_Loves_Christ]

Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?
David did it. His psalms many contains contents of asking for revenge.
So, it is justified to ask God avenge my foes.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

You'll get mixed answers on here.


I like this Psalm :

In Your Mercy Cut Off My Enemies, And Destroy All Those Who Afflict My Soul; For I am Your servant.
• Psalm 143:12



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[KayJoy]

I think that in some cases, it may be okay. But we need to assess our heart's intent.
Also, things were different in OT times. When Jesus came, He said to love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute you. (See Matthew 5:44)

Both Jesus and Steven gave us the example of praying forgiveness for our enemies.

There is a NT Biblical principle of turning someone over for chastisement.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

It's really challenging when you're dealing with truly evil and wicked people.

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[Guojing]

Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?
David did it. His psalms many contains contents of asking for revenge.
So, it is justified to ask God avenge my foes.

I agree with you that, in the OT, Israel can be seen to be very revengeful. I recall the Psalms that was sung by Boney M, "Rivers of Babylon", that talks about grabbing the infants of the enemies of Israel and smashing them against the rock.

That was why Jesus caused such a stir when he first taught the Sermon of the Mount, urging Israel not to respond like for like. If I am a Jew then, I would clearly find Jesus very difficult to understand, after being brought up in the OT.

But for us in the Body of Christ, Paul, our apostle, has a specific instructions regarding this in Romans 12

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.c]">[c] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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,”d]">[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”e]">[e]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

So the clear answer is, No, you should not.

 

[ewq1938]

2Ti_4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

 

[KayJoy]

It's really challenging when you're dealing with truly evil and wicked people.

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Absolutely. My granddaughter was stolen 2 years ago. I know the family and the people involved, but the corrupt court system was part of the stealing. It caused immense pain to my daughter, and our entire family, including my granddaughter. What could easily become bitterness in my heart, God has used to move me to pray for that family's salvation. This isn't easy...not one bit. But when we realize who our true enemy is, it can motivate us to defeat his purpose by praying for those who are in his clutches. As far as I'm concerned, satan will have to give up what he thought was his....I'll keep praying for that family and hope I see them in Heaven! ...satan loses!!

 

[TammyMorris]

sure.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?
David did it. His psalms many contains contents of asking for revenge.
So, it is justified to ask God avenge my foes.

Be Extreeeemly careful. Lord Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. God will take care of them one way or another.

 

[KayJoy]

2Ti_4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

I actually have prayed similarly for those who are causing physical harm to others, for God to deal with them and send deliverance. It could be mercy to pray someone to "reap what they've sown" as it may ooen their eyes and bring them to repentance. But I think we need to discern the Lord's heart and pray accordingly in each given situation. If we are seeking revenge or our heart wants to see our enemies suffer, it may not be the Lord's will to pray for them to be repaid for their deeds. It could come back on us. God knows our hearts. I truly believe that praying for our enemies is God's protection for us...so that we do not become bitter, but filled with His love and peace.

 

[timothyu]

How does it fit in with Jesus' commandment to love all as self, or what we wish for others we wish upon ourselves?

 

[LostMarbels]

Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?
David did it. His psalms many contains contents of asking for revenge.
So, it is justified to ask God avenge my foes.

With forgiveness, and meekness, yes. Forgive your enemies, and do not delight in any misfortune that may befall them. The OT was a time of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. We are no longer under that. We, are to forgive. Even forbear our adversaries. That doesn't mean you cannot pray against actions. Or ill will against yourself, by asking for protection. God's will be done. He will deal with them.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

Check out what Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s response was to Simon Magus :

Quotes from Cyril of Jerusalem about Simon Magus


• Cyril of Jerusalem - Catechetical Lecture 6 - 14-15
(313-386 A.D.)

CHURCH FATHERS: Catechetical Lecture 6 (Cyril of Jerusalem)

NPNF2-7 Cyril, Catechetical Lectures. Lecture VI


"The inventor of all heresy was Simon Magus : that Simon, who in the Acts of the Apostles thought to purchase with money the unsaleable grace of the Spirit, and heard the words, You have neither part nor lot in this matter Acts 8:18-21, and the rest: concerning whom also it is written, They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. This man, after he had been cast out by the Apostles, came to Rome, and gaining over one Helena a harlot , was the first that dared with blasphemous mouth to say that it was himself who appeared on Mount Sinai as the Father, and afterwards appeared among the Jews, not in real flesh but in seeming , as Christ Jesus, and afterwards as the Holy Spirit whom Christ promised to send as the Paraclete. And he so deceived the City of Rome that Claudius set up his statue, and wrote beneath it, in the language of the Romans, Simoni Deo Sancto, which being interpreted signifies, To Simon the Holy God.

As the delusion was extending, Peter and Paul, a noble pair, chief rulers of the Church, arrived and set the error right ; and when the supposed god Simon wished to show himself off, they straightway showed him as a corpse. For Simon promised to rise aloft to heaven, and came riding in a demon chariot on the air; but the servants of God fell on their knees, and having shown that agreement of which Jesus spoke, that If two of you shall agree concerning anything that they shall ask, it shall be done unto them , They Launched The Weapon Of Their Concord In Prayer Against Magus, And Struck Him Down To The Earth. And marvellous though it was, yet no marvel. For Peter was there, who carries the keys of heaven : and nothing wonderful, for Paul was there , who was caught up to the third heaven, and into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful far a man to utter. These brought the supposed God down from the sky to earth, thence to be taken down to the regions below the earth. In this man first the serpent of wickedness appeared; but when one head had been cut off, the root of wickedness was found again with many heads."
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[Blood Bought 1953]

Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?
David did it. His psalms many contains contents of asking for revenge.
So, it is justified to ask God avenge my foes.

“ Vengeance is Mine—- “ I” shall repay”......

 

[crossnote]

Perhaps...


Revelation 6:10 NIV
[10] They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

 

[Ronit]

Be Extreeeemly careful. Lord Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. God will take care of them one way or another.

Amen Aussie Pete

 

[Jeshu]

Spiritually i'm with you all the way. "Please Lord cast the evil in that person dead and raise a new one in its stead", is a prayer that often flows from my lips.

i know full well that the wicked are not the person, no matter how evil such a person may be, the wicked are spirits controlling humanity through lies. Now we Christians are allowed to hate them. As a matter of fact all the saints of the past hated them and Jesus overcame them through loving them to death in the hearts of His fallen children.

The fallen person, on the other hand maybe very hateful but through your actions become intrigued with Christ's love because He is so very different and reaps such lovely rewards, while the hateful person only reaps fire and brim stone, raging emotional fires that keep him awake at night. How many people have chosen for Christ because the hurt the wicked ones inflicted on them who controlled their old life?

To love a evil person to death is the way to go so make sure you curse the wicked controlling them and try and show the person the truth of God's love for lost sinners. The wicked can't go up against us when we love sincerely and uprightly. Especially the hurting ones pray for them a lot. The wicked are so very cruel keeping Christ out of those poor ones hearts.

Peace.

 

[Sparagmos]

Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?
David did it. His psalms many contains contents of asking for revenge.
So, it is justified to ask God avenge my foes.

For what purpose? To what end?

 

[Radagast]

Be Extreeeemly careful. Lord Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. God will take care of them one way or another.

And praying "God, take care of them" is at least a step in the right direction. It reminds us that vengeance is for God to dish out, not for us to do so.

 

[Aussie Pete]

And praying "God, take care of them" is at least a step in the right direction. It reminds us that vengeance is for God to dish out, not for us to do so.

Yes. How much better when God works to bring an enemy to salvation, as He did with Paul.