Living Sacrifice: Overcoming Revenge with Grace and Forgiveness

Devotional

Day 1: Bless Those Who Hurt You

When someone wounds us, our natural response is often to withdraw, retaliate, or harbor resentment. Yet, the call of Jesus is radically different: to bless those who persecute us and to pray for God’s blessing upon them. This is not about denying the pain or pretending the hurt didn’t happen, but about choosing obedience over our own sense of justice. None of us deserve such grace, but Christ extends it to us all, and He invites us to do the same for others—even when it feels impossible. [07:40]

Romans 12:14-15 (NLT)
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Reflection: Who is one person who has hurt you that you can specifically pray for and ask God to bless today, even if your heart isn’t ready to forgive?

Day 2: Live in Harmony and Step Out of Isolation

When we’re hurt, it’s easy to isolate ourselves, build walls, and become suspicious of community. But true faith brings our wounds into the light, allowing the Holy Spirit to heal and restore us. Living in harmony means intentionally stepping out of passive waiting and pride, and instead, seeking connection—even with those who seem “ordinary” or humble. It’s about dying to our opinions and opening ourselves up to genuine relationships, trusting that God can use community to bring wholeness. [08:52]

Romans 12:16 (NLT)
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all.

Reflection: Is there a wall you’ve built because of past hurt? What is one intentional step you can take this week to reach out and build community, even if it feels risky?

Day 3: Publicly Do the Next Honorable, Peaceable Thing

The upside-down way of Jesus calls us to respond to evil not with more evil, but with visible acts of honor and peace. Instead of seeking payback, we are to go out of our way to do what is right and peaceable, even when it’s hard or feels unnatural. This might mean sending a kind note, giving a small gift, or publicly affirming someone who has wronged us. Faith is acting on who we are becoming in Christ, not just how we feel in the moment. [13:08]

Romans 12:17-18 (NLT)
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Reflection: Think of someone who has caused you pain. What is one public or visible act of honor or peace you can do for them this week, even if it feels uncomfortable?

Day 4: Leave Revenge to God by Being Generous with Your Enemies

Revenge keeps evil in circulation, but the way of Jesus breaks the cycle by entrusting justice to God and responding with generosity. When we choose to meet the needs of those who have wronged us—feeding them, blessing them, or surprising them with kindness—we reflect the heart of Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners. This generosity is not about excusing evil, but about refusing to let it rule our hearts, trusting God to be the ultimate judge. [14:52]

Romans 12:19-20 (NLT)
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Reflection: What is one generous act you can do for someone who has wronged you, trusting God with the outcome rather than seeking your own justice?

Day 5: Conquer Evil by Doing Good

Evil is real, and its effects can be deep and lasting, but the final word for followers of Jesus is not defeat, but victory through goodness. We are called to conquer evil not by matching its force, but by overwhelming it with acts of love, forgiveness, and kindness. This is the path of the living sacrifice—staying on the altar, refusing to crawl off when it gets hard, and letting Christ’s mercy flow through us to others. In this way, we become true ambassadors of the new world Jesus is creating. [18:55]

Romans 12:21 (NLT)
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel evil or bitterness trying to take root? What is one good thing you can do today to actively overcome it with the love of Christ?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on one of the most challenging and transformative calls in the Christian life: how we respond to those who hurt us. Drawing from Romans 12:14-21, the invitation is to live as living sacrifices, surrendered to Christ not just in the easy moments, but especially in the places of pain, disappointment, and betrayal. The world celebrates stories of revenge and getting even, but the way of Jesus is radically different—an “upside-down kingdom” where we are called to bless, not curse; to seek peace, not payback; to leave justice in God’s hands, not our own.

We all know the deep itch for revenge, the desire to see those who have wronged us get what they deserve. Yet, Scripture is clear: retaliation and revenge are forbidden for followers of Jesus. This is not a denial of the reality or pain of evil—evil is real, and its wounds can be deep and lasting. But the call is to break the cycle of hurt, not perpetuate it. Jesus himself modeled this, absorbing the full weight of human evil on the cross and responding with forgiveness and love.

The practical outworking of this call is both simple and excruciatingly difficult. First, we are to bless those who persecute us and pray for God’s blessing on them. This is not about whether they deserve it—none of us do—but about obedience to Christ and the transformative power of grace. Second, we are to live in harmony, refusing to isolate ourselves in our pain, but instead intentionally seeking community and reconciliation. Third, we are to publicly do the next honorable and peaceable thing, letting our actions be visible evidence of Christ’s work in us. Fourth, we leave revenge to God, choosing instead to be generous—even to our enemies—because that is what God has done for us in Christ. Finally, we conquer evil not by matching it, but by overwhelming it with good.

This is not a call to go soft on evil or pretend it doesn’t matter. Rather, it is a call to trust God’s justice, to refuse to let bitterness and resentment take root, and to become agents of reconciliation in a world addicted to payback. The challenge is to stay on the altar, to surrender even our deepest hurts, and to let Christ’s love and forgiveness flow through us—because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. In this, we find true freedom and become living witnesses to the power of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. Bless and pray for those who hurt you Choosing to bless and pray for those who have wronged us is a radical act of faith. It’s not about their worthiness, but about aligning our hearts with the mercy we ourselves have received. This practice breaks the cycle of bitterness and opens us to the healing work of the Holy Spirit, even when it feels impossible. [65:48]
2. Live in harmony; resist isolation When wounded, our instinct is to withdraw and build walls. Yet, the call is to intentionally seek community, to risk vulnerability, and to pursue reconciliation. True faith is not pretending the hurt isn’t there, but bringing it into the light and allowing God’s people to be part of our healing. [68:04]
3. Publicly choose honor and peace Our natural response to evil is often to retaliate or at least to nurse our wounds in secret. Instead, we are called to act honorably and peaceably in ways that are visible to others. This public witness is not about performance, but about embodying the gospel in real, costly ways that point to Jesus. [72:08]
4. Leave revenge to God; practice generosity Trusting God with justice is one of the hardest acts of surrender. Rather than seeking payback, we are invited to surprise our enemies with generosity, mirroring the grace God has shown us. This breaks the endless cycle of revenge and testifies to a new way of being human in Christ. [74:52]
5. Conquer evil by doing good Evil is not overcome by more evil, but by persistent, creative acts of goodness. This is not denial of pain, but a refusal to let it define us. In choosing to do good, even when wronged, we participate in God’s redemptive work and become living sacrifices, reflecting Christ’s victory over sin and death. [78:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:47] - Invitation to Community Lunch
[36:05] - Four Pillars: Belong, Hope, Grow, Become
[38:37] - Waiting: Passive vs. Intentional
[39:37] - Serving and Small Groups
[42:01] - Upcoming Events and Advent
[42:46] - Generosity and Vision Offering
[48:44] - Living Sacrifice Series: Romans 12
[49:33] - The Universal Struggle with Revenge
[55:46] - Reading Romans 12:14-21
[57:22] - Five Negative Commands from Paul
[58:40] - The Call to Non-Retaliation
[61:22] - Waiting for God’s Justice
[65:48] - Blessing and Praying for Enemies
[67:27] - Living in Harmony and Community
[71:46] - Publicly Choosing Honor and Peace
[74:25] - Leaving Revenge to God
[78:55] - Conquering Evil by Doing Good
[80:39] - Responding in Worship and Prayer
[89:40] - Prayer of Surrender and Salvation
[91:33] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Sacrifices in the Face of Hurt

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### Bible Reading

Romans 12:14-21 (NLT)
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

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### Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:14-21, what are the specific actions Paul tells believers to take (and not take) when they are wronged by others?
In the sermon, what are some of the “upside-down” responses to hurt that are different from the world’s way of revenge? ([49:33])
What does the passage say about who is responsible for justice and revenge?
The sermon mentions that Jesus modeled this way of living. What examples from Jesus’ life or words were referenced? ([01:00:48])

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “retaliation and revenge are absolutely forbidden to the followers of Jesus.” Why do you think this is such a central command for Christians? ([58:40])
The idea of blessing those who hurt us is described as “simple and excruciatingly difficult.” Why is this so hard, and what does it reveal about our hearts? ([01:06:57])
The sermon talks about living in harmony and resisting isolation after being hurt. Why is community so important in the healing process, according to the message? ([01:08:04])
The passage and sermon both say to “leave revenge to God.” What does it look like to trust God with justice, especially when it feels like nothing is happening? ([01:14:25])

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### Application Questions

Think of a specific person or situation where you have been hurt. What would it look like to bless and pray for that person this week, even if you don’t feel like it? ([01:05:48])
When you’ve been wounded, is your first instinct to withdraw from others? What would it look like to intentionally seek out community or reconciliation instead of isolating? ([01:08:04])
The sermon challenges us to “publicly do the next honorable and peaceable thing.” Can you think of a real-life example where you could choose honor and peace in a visible way, even if it’s costly? ([01:12:08])
Are there areas in your life where you are still holding onto the desire for payback or revenge? What would it mean for you to surrender that to God and practice generosity instead? ([01:14:52])
The message says we conquer evil by doing good, not by matching it. What is one creative or practical way you could “overwhelm evil with good” in a situation you’re facing right now? ([01:18:55])
The sermon mentions that refusing to forgive or let go of bitterness can even affect our physical and emotional health. Have you noticed this in your own life? What step could you take toward healing? ([01:05:16])
The idea of being a “living sacrifice” means staying surrendered to Jesus, even in our pain. What is one area of hurt or disappointment you need to bring to God’s altar this week? ([01:20:01])

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Sermon Clips

We will never get up here and say thank you for your financial generosity because it helps us keep the lights on. I would rather serve the church out there and turn the lights off. Let me tell you. As your pastor, we can worship in the dark if that's what it means, if it costs us that. But our sacrifice to Jesus is meant to full stop. Would you be Lord over every part of my life, especially how I steward my resources? The greatest external indicator of our heart posture towards Christ is how we steward our money. It just is. Mammon or capital G God. Who are you going to worship? [00:44:59] (39 seconds) #RespondWithGrace

``Retaliation and revenge are absolutely forbidden to the followers of Jesus. Jesus, he himself never hit back, either in word or in deed. And in spite of our inborn retributive tendency, that itch we want to scratch, ranging from a child, like a young child's tit for tat, like he hit me first, right? To the adult's more sophisticated determination to get even with somebody, with an opponent. Jesus calls us instead to imitate him. [00:58:40] (37 seconds) #BlessNotCurse

Why do I struggle with revenge? Because often it involves waiting. And I don't want to wait intentionally. I don't want to wait with deep surrender to Jesus. I want to wait and make sure that it happens on my timeline. If God's going to do it, you better do it now, God. Get the revenge. Have my back. If you're telling me to wait, move. Do something. Get him. That's my heart. I've got to pay attention to my heart. [01:01:25] (31 seconds) #IntentionalCommunity

We should note that this does not mean going soft on evil. I got to say this. Saying that you shouldn't take revenge isn't a way of saying that the evil isn't real or that it didn't hurt after all. The evil is real. The hurt is real. Evil is real. It often does hurt, sometimes very badly, indeed, and with lasting impacts and effects. And it does matter. This is perhaps one of the fundamental differences between Christianity and, say, Buddhism. [01:04:17] (39 seconds) #GenerosityOverRevenge

So here's what we're going to do about it. Number one, we're going to bless them, and we're going to pray that God will bless them. Verse 14, bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them. Pray that God will bless them. This is our first response. Think of that person. Go ahead. Think of that person right now. That high school teacher, that ex, that family member, co-worker, boss. Think of that one person or group of people that caused you pain, that said or did something that cut you deeply, created hurt. [01:05:46] (41 seconds) #BreakTheCycle

But they don't deserve that, Pastor. Neither do I when you pray that for me. That's the point. None of us deserve it. But Christ still makes it possible. Yeah, but that's hard. I know. It's going to cost you something. I'm not ready for that. When will you be ready? Will you recognize ready when it happens? Is this about your readiness or your obedience? But it's hard. I know. And you know what the good news is? They're not my words. This is a hard truth from Scripture. Bless them and pray that God will bless them. [01:06:41] (46 seconds) #ForgiveLikeJesus

Number four, leave revenge to God by being generous with your enemies. Verse 19 and 20. And again, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32, 35. I will take revenge. I will pay them back. In due time, their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive. Their destiny will overtake them. This is God's word to us. Proverbs 25. If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch. If he's thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. And God will look after you. [01:14:18] (36 seconds)

And so we cheapen the grace and the forgiveness of God when we say they don't deserve to be forgiven. And this new world is the world that we're meant to represent as ambassadors of Christ Jesus. No excuses, no excuses, no clauses, no exceptions. And it's really, really hard. For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps maybe for a good person, one would even dare to die. [01:16:55] (43 seconds)

The trouble with us leaving revenge in the capable hands of the Father is it's not that interesting. My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the north, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant of the true emperor Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I forgive you. No one's going to watch that, and I forgive you. Leave the revenge to God. Choose the ministry of reconciliation by being unreasonably generous with your enemies. [01:17:59] (47 seconds)

How do you deal with people who hurt you? Last thought, conquer evil by doing good. Don't let evil conquer you is Paul's final commission to us, but conquer evil. And here's the good that we're meant to do to conquer evil summed up. Here's the good. Bless them. Pray that God will bless them. Live in harmony. Enjoy their company. Publicly do the next honorable and peaceable thing that everyone else can see. And leave revenge to God by being generous with your enemies. [01:18:47] (37 seconds)

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