Noble Revenge
The noblest form of revenge is to forgive and return good for evil, just as God does.
John Henry Jowett preaches on the noble act of delivering kindness to enemies, drawing inspiration from Psalm 7:4. He emphasizes that responding to evil with good is godly, while repaying evil with evil is beast-like. Returning good for good is a manly act, but showing kindness in the face of evil is God-like, reflecting the character of Christ and elevating us to heavenly places.
Text
"_I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy._"
--PSALM vii. 4.
That is the noblest revenge, and in those moments David had intimate
knowledge of the spirit of his Lord. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him!"
_Evil for good is devil-like._ To receive a favour and to return a blow!
To obtain the gift of language, and then to use one's speech to curse the
giver! To use a sacred sword is unholy warfare! All this is devil-like.
_Evil for evil is beast-like._ Yes, the dog bites back when it is bitten.
The dog returns snarl for snarl, venom for venom. And if, when I have been
injured, I "pay a man back in his own coin," if I "give him as good as he
gave," I am living on the plane of the beast.
_Good for good is man-like._ When I requite a man's kindness by kindness!
When I send presents to one who loads me with benefits! This is a true and
manly thing to do, and lifts us far above the beast.
_Good for evil is God-like._ Yes, that lifts me into "the heavenly places
in Christ Jesus." Then I have "the mind of Christ." Then do I unto others
as my Saviour has done unto me.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Revenge
- David's noble revenge in Psalm 7:4
- The contrast between evil and good
- The characteristics of beast-like, man-like, and God-like behavior
Key Quotes
“If thine enemy hunger, feed him!” — John Henry Jowett
“Evil for good is devil-like.” — John Henry Jowett
“Good for good is man-like.” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- We should respond to evil with good, rather than retaliating with evil.
- Living like God involves returning kindness for kindness and treating others as our Savior has treated us.
- When we live like God, we are lifted into the heavenly places in Christ Jesus and given the mind of Christ.