A selection of verses showing that we should leave judgement of our enemies to God.
The law of Moses recommended restraint when dealing with others:
18 “ ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.
David wouldn't kill Saul even though he was a real threat to David's life:
9 David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 10 David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish.
Paul tells the Romans to leave judgement of their enemies to God:
19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
At his trial before Pilate, Jesus was the ultimate example of restraint under attack from enemies:
3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
These chapters have links to this theme:
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