Resentment Should Be Released, Not Bound
Pastor Tan Thai · Jan 8, 2012
This sermon explains Jesus Christ's teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 regarding personal non-retaliation, grounded in the Old Testament Lex Talionis law. The pastor calls believers to release resentment, forgive one another, and trust God rather than seeking personal revenge.
The sermon opens by acknowledging that Matthew 5:38-42, part of the Sermon on the Mount, is one of the most difficult passages in Scripture — both in meaning and in practice. The pastor emphasizes that this teaching is not reserved for a spiritual elite but is intended for all who genuinely desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Believing in Christ is easy, requiring only one decision; but following Christ and living according to His demanding teachings is extraordinarily difficult.
The second section analyzes the 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' law (Lex Talionis), recorded in Exodus 21:23-25, Leviticus 24:19, and Deuteronomy 19:21. The pastor explains that the original purpose of this law was not to encourage revenge but to limit punishment to a level proportionate to the harm caused, preventing victims from exacting disproportionate retribution. The historical account of Vietnamese King Nguyễn Ánh's extreme revenge against the Tây Sơn dynasty is used to illustrate how human nature tends to far exceed proportionate retaliation.
The central section focuses on the command 'Do not resist an evil person,' drawing a clear distinction between resisting sin and the devil — which Scripture commands through Ephesians 6:12-13, James 4:7, and 1 Peter 5:9 — and retaliating personally against those who harm one's honor or property. The pastor clarifies that this teaching does not apply to governments or military forces but specifically governs the personal conduct of individual disciples.
The example of King David is used to illustrate the correct attitude: though pursued by King Saul for approximately fifteen years, David refused to take personal revenge even when given the opportunity, instead entrusting the matter to God. The Apostle Paul's words in Romans 12:18-21 are cited to reinforce this principle — that vengeance belongs to God, and believers are called to overcome evil with good.
The sermon concludes with a practical appeal directed at the congregation, addressing the real problem of bitterness, resentment, and factionalism among believers and between members and their pastor. The pastor warns that such ongoing conflict hinders church growth and destroys the credibility of the Gospel witness. He urges all members to let go of past grievances, seek God's grace to forgive one another, and look forward rather than continuously feeding their anger with memories of past offenses.