Prodigal: Sometimes people are misguided.

Me: Yes, they are and they do not realize how much hurt they are causing others.

Prodigal: May the Lord open their eyes.

Me: Maybe.

This is from the book Bold Love by Dr. Dan Allender & Dr. Tremper Longman III

Vengeance sought today shifts the offense from the one who committed the sin to the one who is handling the sin with even greater sin. The work of exposure, reflection, dialogue, and prayer is hindered and change made more difficult. How many believers are blinded to their own sin because of another’s inopportune pursuit of revenge? How many unbelievers have been given greater grounds to dismiss the gospel on the basis of petty, almost absurdly small, grudges held by one believer against another? When the gospel is hindered by illicit revenge, Satan smiles. It is a small but significant victory for the devouring lion. Our choice to seek or not withhold vengeance brings sorrow to our Father and, in turn, tears our hearts away from the joy of our reconciliation with Him.

James 4:11

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but it thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org