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OUTLINE

DON'T TAKE THE BAIT—2

“The Trap of Revenge"

A. When we feel wronged, it feels right to get revenge.

B. Revenge is always a trap.

C. It is not wrong to want justice.

D. "Bitterness is always justifiable to the bitter." - Bill Johnson

E. Jesus flips the script

a. Luke 6:27-28

1. It is right to want justice. It is wrong to take revenge.

a. "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, you should first dig two graves." - Unknown

b. Why do we seek revenge?

i. Because we think revenge will remove the bitterness

ii. Revenge in the moment feels quite rewarding.

iii. Revenge in the long-term, never releases you from the trap of offense.

iv. Revenge doesn’t remove the pain, it actually magnifies it.

(1) Do not be controlled by someone else's sin.

v. Romans 12:2

2. It is God's job to take revenge

a. Romans 12:17-18

b. Responding to evil with evil does not overcome it, it only adds to it.

c. James 1:20

3. Leave Room for God to move.

a. Romans 12:19

b. "Leave room" means to make space for God to move

c. Revenge gives us the illusion of control in a battle we will always lose.

4. When you take revenge, you leave God out

a. Romans 12:21

5. Conclusion

a. Don't suppress your feelings, surrender them.