Is Revenge A Sin? Will God Forgive Revenge?

Yes, revenge is a sin. The Bible makes it very plain, “’Vengeance is Mine,’ says the Lord.” That kind of verse is easy to read and agree with, until you’re in a situation that really requires it. But if someone has profoundly sinned against you or someone that you love, it can be a very powerful desire and temptation to take vengeance. I don’t want to minimize the temptation to take vengeance into their own hands, but it is a sin. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.

Secondly, will God forgive revenge? Yes. If a person has carried out vengeance against somebody else and given in to those sinful thoughts and desires to take revenge, it may have felt really good at the time. But I’m here to tell you, and I think the Bible will tell you, that it was wrong. You can humbly come before God, confess your sin, and He will forgive you.

God’s promise to the believer in Jesus Christ in 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, if we will confess our sin. Remember the basic idea behind that word confess. It means to agree with God. Since God says that it was wrong for you to take vengeance, I say with God, “It was wrong for me to take vengeance.” Confession is simply acknowledging God’s perspective regarding whatever sin or issue is at hand. Yes, taking vengeance is a sin. Yes, there is forgiveness in Jesus Christ, even for the person who has taken vengeance. Come to Him, repent, confess your sin before God, and find cleansing at the throne of Jesus.