INTRODUCTION: Revenge becomes an unending and vicious cycle. It may seem satisfying to one’s flesh but solves nothing when used as a tool of retribution. Rather, it creates a spiraling intensity of vengeance with the party last wronged repaying the other for the damage received in order to attempt to square accounts.
Fortunately, God worked through Samson’s fleshly nature to accomplish what He had for him (see Judges 14:4—“it was of the Lord”). This did not, however, minimize Samson’s responsibility for his bad conduct. Samson had been wronged and craved vengeance, supposing that vengeance was the solution to his problem. He said, “yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease” (Judges 15:7). Sadly, all those who think that vengeance will be the end of a matter find that it serves only as the furtherance of an escalation. The Philistines returned “to do to him as he hath done to us” (Judges 15:10) and Samson justified himself, “As they did unto me, so have I done unto them” (Judges 15:11). There is simply no end to each retribution when people seek it for satisfaction.
This explains why God has told believers to let Him administer vengeance. Revenge is required for justice but it is not for individuals right to institute this action. God is the One “to whom vengeance belongeth” (Psalm 94:1). He says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19). We must allow God to set things right and not take things into our own hands. This story of Samson demonstrates the faults associated to seeking revenge. We would do well to heed the warning lest we find things spiraling out of control (Ephesians 4:32). The solution is to be like God in these matters.
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