Retaliation

In chapter 5 of Matthew, Jesus even talked about retaliation. The dictionary meaning of this word points directly to our flesh, which the enemy has control over if we allow him to.

 

Listen:

 

            Retaliation is a noun where retaliate is a verb.  Nouns are person, place, or things. 

 

1.         a paying back of a wrong, injury, etc: return of evil for evil.

2.         an act of reprisal

 

           O.K. Church, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of retaliation.  It is a purely fleshly emotion, an evil one at that.  But it is so strongly embedded in our fleshly make-up it overwhelms us almost every time it comes up.  And Saints, it started in the very beginning after Adam and Eve gave authority over to Satan.  Their son, Cain was so angry when God respected Abel’s offering over his, he killed his brother Abel.  (Genesis 4:8)  Fleshly anger begets sin.  Then God pronounced Cain’s punishment: “When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you.  A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.” (Genesis 4:12)  Cain protested it was too harsh a punishment and that he would be killed himself.  (Evil begets evil).  So God in his Mercy placed a mark on Cain and said “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.”

 

            Now, doesn’t God’s Word say “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”

 

            If Cain had really been living with the Love of God in his heart and not letting the fleshly man over rule it, things would have been different.  God told Cain before his anger got the best of him what he was supposed to do.

 

Genesis 4:7

Vs 7     “If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.  And its desire is towards you, but “you” should rule over it.”

 

            Stop!     Read that last part again!       But “you” (your will) should rule over it (sin)!!  That “TRUTH” should be first and foremost in every one of our lives.  Period: no ifs, ands, or buts in our explanation.  We have become so oriented with the fleshly world we are not “seeing” that TRUTH!!!  Let’s go back and read exactly what Jesus told us in Matthew.  

 

 

Matthew 4:38-42 (Jesus said)

Vs 38   “You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a                      tooth.”

Vs 39   But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your             right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

Vs 40   “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your             cloak also.”

Vs 41   “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

Vs 42   “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you                do not turn away.”

 

            How much more courage does this Love take than giving in to evil or violence, or retaliation.  That’s just God’s Love from our heart to His Heart.  I’m not saying we have to be wimps about things; just have presence of mind to not let our fleshly emotions over-rule us before the Love of God, which is flowing through us, can come forth to rule and reign first.  That can only be done when “we” (our wills) are totally dependant on our Father in Heaven.

 

            I’m definitely not saying this is going to be easy! Our flesh has ruled in most circumstances all of our lives from the beginning ---- But, if we get ourselves back into the spiritual man position, we “CAN” overrule sin. (Genesis 4:7)

 

And in these last days it “HAS” to happen more often or we will be caught up in the evil, even unknowingly.

 

            When negative circumstances happen, IMMEDIANTLY give it to God to handle, and “Try” your best NOT to take it back into your own hands to try to solve.  Be in constant communication with the Lord to “Hear” and do what is needed to do for the Glory of God and our own well being through Him.

 

            Refuse the fleshly man and embrace the Spiritual man --- the only way to God’s Love.

 

Be Blessed in Christ

 

Trust and Believe God

 

World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary copyright 1964 Doubleday and Company, Inc.

 

 

*All scriptures are from: New King James Version of Prophecy Study Bible

General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwise stated.