What God Says About "Getting Even"

When someone is hurt - physically, emotionally, or otherwise - the initial (and natural) response is often anger. Hurt can cause fear, sadness, hopelessness, depression, feelings of isolation, and/or a deep loneliness. All of these emotions are fertile ground for anger. We often respond to this anger by wanting to hurt those who hurt us. After all, it's only fair that  they get what they deserve by getting the same treatment...right?  


Let's dive into God's Word and see what He has to say about wanting to get even.


Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious of the wicked; for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. {Proverbs 24:17-20}


...it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; {2 Thessalonians 1:6}

Okay, so we know how we're not to respond...but how are we to respond to those who hurt us?

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. {Matthew 5:44-46} 


Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. {Romans 12:14}


Recompense no man evil for evil. {Romans 12:17a}


Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. {Romans 12:19-21}


And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. {Ephesians 4:32}


Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. {Colossians 3:13}


What does God say about us if we choose to stay angry anyway and seek to "get even"?

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. {I John 9-11}


Anger cannot be hidden or denied. It must be responded to, or it will consume you. God commands you to get rid of it. You must bring it out of the darkness of denial and into the light of admission and repentance.

Signs of an angry spirit:

• A critical or sarcastic attitude
• Holding a grudge or keeping a list of hurts
• Being extremely negative on a regular basis
• An unforgiving disposition

Do any of these describe you? Would others describe you in a similar way?

Quiet your heart and ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life where you are holding on to anger. Are you willing to acknowledge your anger, your desire to "get even," as sin? 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. {Psalm 139:23-24}