When someone hurts us, our natural instinct is to get even. But God calls us to something higher: to let go of the thought of revenge and trust Him to bring justice. These bible verses about revenge offer peace, clarity, and conviction to those who wrestle with betrayal or bitterness. If you're tempted to retaliate or struggling to forgive someone, this list is a reminder that He sees everything. Our God is more than able to make things right.
"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,’ says the Lord."
This verse is a direct command and a deep comfort. God is not asking you to ignore injustice, He’s asking you to trust Him with it. Revenge puts us in a role we were never meant to fill. When you release your right to get even, you make room for God to act on your behalf. His justice is always better timed and more complete than ours.
"Do not say, 'I’ll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you."
This verse helps calm the fire of retaliation. Wanting justice is natural, but rushing it through personal vengeance only multiplies the pain. Waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means choosing faith over fury. Trust that He sees what others may not, and He’s already working.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."
Jesus flips the old logic of revenge on its head. This isn’t about being passive, it’s about being radically different. Turning the other cheek doesn’t mean approving of evil. It means trusting God enough to stop the cycle of violence and let His love speak louder than your hurt.
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
The call to bless someone who has hurt you is one of the hardest commands in Scripture. But it’s also one of the most freeing. This verse reminds us that revenge shrinks your soul, while blessing enlarges it. The more you lean into grace, the more you make room for God to bless and heal you.
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
Even in the Old Testament, God warned against holding onto revenge. Love and revenge cannot live in the same heart. This verse invites you to examine not just your actions but your emotions. Holding a grudge robs you of peace, but love always leads to freedom.
There was a time I was deeply wronged by someone I trusted. I held onto anger like it was protecting me. But over time, it started to change me in ways I didn’t like. When I finally gave it to God, I realized I wasn’t letting them off the hook, I was getting my own soul back. Holy Focus was born out of moments like these. When I learned that peace isn’t found in payback, but in surrender.
"Do not say, 'I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'"
Revenge feels fair in the moment. But this verse challenges the entire premise: Do you really want to mirror their wrong with more wrong? God calls us to a higher standard, to respond with wisdom, not reaction. Leave justice to the Judge, and choose peace.
"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Jesus gives us an impossible list, unless we’re filled with His Spirit. Loving enemies doesn’t come from willpower; it comes from supernatural strength. These commands are less about them and more about guarding your own heart. When you pray for someone who hurt you, you begin to heal.
I've never been able to forgive easily, especially when I felt wronged and misunderstood. Oh the hundreds of times I felt that! But these verses helped soften my view of the people who wronged me. I'm trusting God to handle justice. But it doesn't mean I don't want to watch when it happens. I'm only human after all. But I surrender my anger to Him. It's a start. I've held onto grudges for far too long.
— Callie
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."
This verse is a strong reminder that God doesn’t ignore injustice. He is patient, but He is not blind. If you’ve been harmed, you don’t have to pretend it didn’t happen. God promises that no wrongdoing will go unanswered. His justice is certain, it just doesn’t run on your timeline.
"Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
Revenge often flows from anger, but anger doesn’t bring about what God wants for you. This verse reminds us that even when your anger feels justified, it still can lead you into sin. God’s righteousness requires self-control, not reaction. Let Him shape your response.
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Forgiveness is not forgetting, it’s releasing. This verse reminds us that we’ve been forgiven of more than we’ll ever be asked to forgive. The cross is the reason we can let go of revenge. When you forgive, you don’t lose, you live lighter.
Revenge seems to promise us some sort of relief.
But in the end, it will only deliver emptiness.
God offers us a better way.
These verses call us to trust Him with our pain and allow Him to take care of restoring justice.
When you let go of revenge, you are giving it over, not giving it up.
God sees and knows. He repays.
He will offer something that is much better than payback: peace.
One Response
I’ve never been able to forgive easily, especially when I felt wronged and misunderstood. Oh the hundreds of times I felt that! But these verses helped soften my view of the people who wronged me. I’m trusting God to handle justice. But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to watch when it happens. I’m only human after all. But I surrender my anger to Him. It’s a start. I’ve held onto grudges for far too long.