Can I ask God to avenge my enemies?

ChetSinger · Jun 16, 2020

Yes, David did, and repeatedly. And under the Law of Moses that was entirely proper.

I've sometimes wished vengeance on people just like David did. So maybe I understand where you're coming from.

But in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus began introducing new laws. Do you want to be a son of your Father in heaven? Then aim for this, even when it's difficult:

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5

Bruce Leiter · Jun 16, 2020

David did not have selfish motives for asking God to avenge his enemies. As you read those psalms, imagine David as the prosecutor bringing his case before God the Judge against Saul or Absalom because of their unjust attacks on him. Then, he leaves the matter in God's hands to declare the defendants guilty or not guilty.

Remember when David and his men are hiding in the cave which Saul enters to relieve himself? David does not take his anger out on the Lord's anointed king but waits for God to effect his result.

On the other hand, Jesus calls us also to pray for our enemies. One of those prayers should include not only prayer for God the Judge to fulfill his just judgment but also to rescue our enemies spiritually before it's too late for them.

timothyu · Jun 16, 2020

Did not David also take matters into his own hands with one who opposed him, when he sent the husband of the apple of his eye to die by proxy?

J_B_ · Jun 16, 2020

Remember the Bible is about Christ, not us. David was asking for God's help with those who were opposing what God had asked him to do. They were, therefore, enemies of God's will. It wasn't that David was frustrated with people who wouldn't let him do what he wanted.

timothyu · Jun 16, 2020

All mankind is the enemy of God's will. We were quarantined here from the Garden as a result, due to our desire to put our will before God's. Yet while God could have wiped us out, He did not.

J_B_ · Jun 16, 2020

God sanctifies us in this life.

timothyu · Jun 16, 2020

Yes, He gave us the Kingdom and resurrection as a chosen alternative.

BNR32FAN · Jun 16, 2020

Wouldn’t it be better to ask Him to open their heart to Him? If they became Christians perhaps they wouldn’t be your enemies anymore.

Maria Billingsley · Jun 16, 2020

We are under the New Covenant not the Old Covenant. Jesus Christ of Nazareth asked us to forgive our enemies not avenge ourselves. Be blessed.

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · Jun 16, 2020

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God ! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly ; Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

• Psalm 139:19-24

.

Victor in Christ · Jun 16, 2020

No. Ask Christ into your heart with all sincerity and he'll avenge your enemies.

If you don't do it through Christ, you'll be asking Satan to do it. Dangerous and foolish leading to damnation.

as for David, study what David believed in. I pray you'll see and understand he believed in the coming Messiah who would offer a one time sacrifice for all sinners. David knew Christ was coming and he (like all the other faithfull in the OT) needed to make sure the Messiah (christ) would come.

Blood Bought 1953 · Jun 16, 2020

Paul recommended that we “ kill them with kindness”

Paul said to do good to those that do you harm.....it will be like “ heaping burning coals on their heads”......

You ever have anybody do this to you....lol....it will make you feel like a rat ....it works!

public hermit · Jun 16, 2020

You can ask God to avenge your enemies. Don't be surprised if he starts with the ones in your own heart.

Tone · Jun 16, 2020

Well said, I was just thinking that we are our enemy.

Job3315 · Jun 16, 2020

You can, but I wouldn't if I were you. The Bible says not to pay evil with evil and God also says vengeance is His. He will pay others as He thinks. Don't forget that He will repay you just as you pay others, so if you ask for vengeance, you will also receive it instead of mercy when you wrong someone else. The more I grow in Christ, the more I realize that if someone hurts me its because they don't know Christ and those people need intercession prayer. A sign of a mature Christian is staying still, knowing (rest in the assurance) that He is God.

JackRT · Jun 16, 2020

"I have met the enemy and he is us."
~~~ Pogo

mathinspiration · Jun 16, 2020

I remember Paul and Jesus warning people not seek revenge by saying do on to others as you wish others to do to you.

John Helpher · Jun 16, 2020

It's fine to want justice, but we rarely understand what justice really is. Jesus tried to describe it in terms of us being judged in the same way we judge others. If you ask God to avenge your enemies, perhaps he will, but then in the same way he will avenge those whom you've wronged, too.

If you have mercy on those who have wronged you, perhaps he will also have mercy on you toward those you've wronged.

GaveMeJoy · Jun 17, 2020

It depends...do you want to be like David, or do you want to be like Jesus?

LayHong_Loves_Christ · Jun 17, 2020

God likes David, David seeks God's help.
Enemy is enemy, enemy won't become friend even though you love them.
Love your enemy is more an illusion to me.
I can only love my friend.

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