When Duke is introduced as Max’s new brother Max is not happy. Duke takes his bed at night and things just seem to be getting worse for Max! When their owner Katy leaves them in the apartment for the day Duke breaks a vase by mistake. Max decides to get even with Duke.
Revenge:
Say: Max decided to take his revenge on Duke for stealing his bed! Yet taking revenge on Duke ended up backfiring on him – it ended up making life just as difficult as it was for Duke. Why? Because both Max and Duke ended up getting lost in the big city because they were so intent on getting even with one another.
Revenge never does any good. Jesus showed us that it is much better to forgive and have peace then to take revenge. Sometimes that can be really difficult. People don’t always deserve forgiveness. However, we can remember that we did not deserve forgiveness either – even though Jesus forgave us for all the many wrong things we have done! We can trust that God sees everything, He sees the good and the bad and we can trust Him to make the right decisions about what should happen to people. Our job is to forgive and not to take revenge.
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT REVENGE:
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. 1 Peter 3:9.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11.
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.” Deuteronomy 32:35.
For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” Hebrews 10:30.
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Have you ever taken revenge on someone?
- Why do people want to take revenge?
- Do you think revenge is a good thing? Why/why not?
- What does God think about revenge?
- Did Jesus ever take revenge? Why/why not?
- What can we do instead of taking revenge?
