The Place Called Revenge

There is a place called revenge. On the wrong side, we live in homes built by the pains caused by others. We feed on the things we want to be the outcomes of our plans; we, most of the time, cover up our unclothed motives with pretense. Here, the paths to any destination are the actions we take to cause sorrows in the hearts and put tears (a frown occasionally) on the faces of our offenders. Here, we are seldom concerned about unity (which is what justice is about) but just feeling better – or so we think. What makes it harder to not get or leave here is the instinctive desire to take here. As deciding to do what is right with our innate desires lead to right rewards, taking here the right way is an advantage.

As almost usual, let me share the details of a story. His name is Kayode. In English, this means one who brings happiness (joy, as I've been told); in reality, that day was far from this truth. Kayode brought a knife to school (not to cut cake with it and share it amongst his colleagues) to stab the student that bullied him the previous day. You see, bullying was not one of those experiences I had when I was in high school. Sure, there were times I had issues with a few seniors (and some classmates) but I won’t readily say I was bullied. I attended a day high school, and I believe these strategies (which I applied) will help lessen the likelihood of being a victim of bullies even if it is a boarding school. Are high school readers paying attention? To begin with, you are considered a student because you are one of those being taught by teachers in that institution – be the best you can be as almost everyone respects a brilliant student. Secondly, and most importantly, be respectful to everyone – it will likely be reciprocated. Also, and this won’t be easy for the naturally extroverted, try to be as gentle as you can be – some bullies will think you can’t hurt a fly. Not everyone will agree with my third strategy; they’ll argue that people tend to take gentle persons for a ride. That’s fine because if you are gentle, not stupid, they’ll take you to the right place – a place where you learn a lesson. Lastly, report to someone if you’ve been bullied. The bullies will know that people have got your back – this will lessen the probability of being bullied an additional time.

Kayode was caught with the knife, unsuccessful in his attempt, and expelled from school. Five years later, Kayode told me he was glad he was unsuccessful because he couldn’t bear living with the thought that he stabbed, perhaps killed, someone. What if he was successful? Five years later, a successful revenge would have made him feel worse. To understand the concept of revenge, we must know what the real enemy is. Before I proceed, allow me reiterate that there is a difference between revenge and justice. There’s a reason Jehovah says vengeance belongs to Him, and that’s because He can deal with anyone and any situation. In addition, He’s just. Bible wise – which makes it spot on – powers, principalities, and rulers that belong to darkness qualify as the real enemies since they cause the real evil. How can we deliberately inflict injury or punish those? If we think about revenge as we know it, there’s no way.

What qualify men (or other beings) as evil are the things they do. When it comes to revenge, the evil that was done is the enemy – and that is what should be dealt with. When it comes to justice, it’s about ensuring fairness, balance, harmony – and no doubt, those that love disharmony will have to go. Jehovah has the power to deal with, or undo, every form of evil; we don’t. There’s one way we can always deal with evil, though: Making it weaker by replacing it with good.

There is a place called revenge. On the right side, we bring down homes built by hurt. We still feed on the things (this time, good) we will love to see as the outcomes of our plans; we, most of the time, unclothe our motives because we are proud of them. Here, the paths to any destination are the actions we take to be unlike the wrong done. Here, we are concerned about justice.