Vindicate or Vindictive
Are you a vindicating person or are you vindictive? The act of vindicating is “clearing someone of blame or suspicion:” Vindictiveness is “having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge:” Two words that look and sound similar but mean the opposite. Jesus hung on the cross while the people mocked Him and gambled for his belongings. In all the agony of what little strength He had left, He asked his Father God to forgive them because they didn’t know any better. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”(Luke 23:34) It was the most important act of vindication ever declared. With this one declaration of forgiveness, Jesus acquitted the entire human race from Adam's sin even though we were guilty and He was not. The nature of a man proves to be his biggest stumbling block. Our vindictive nature seems to override decency and raise its ugly head when confronted with conflict. Jesus was clear when He rebuked the civil law of Moses for the perfect law of God.”You have heard that it was said, ‘eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person who insults you or violates your rights; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also. Simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise.”(Matt. 5: 38-39)(AMP)
The Bible tells the story of a young man named Stephen who was bold and full of faith. Astute in his understanding of the gospel he preached the truth with conviction. The leaders of the day professed to be religious but were vindictive deceivers who set a trap for Steven to charge him with treason. “But one day some of the men from the Jewish cult of “The Freedmen” started an argument with him, and they were soon joined by Jews from Cyrene. But none of them was able to stand against Stephen’s wisdom and spirit. So they brought in some men to lie about him, claiming they had heard Stephen curse Moses, and even God. This accusation roused the crowds to fury against Stephen, and the Jewish leaders arrested him and brought him before the Council. The lying witnesses testified again that Stephen was constantly speaking against the Temple and against the laws of Moses.”(Acts 6:9-13) Like Jesus, Stephen was full of the Spirit of God and could not be shaken by false accusations and lying witnesses. This enraged his vindictive accusers but like Jesus, with his last breath Stephen forgave and vindicated the heartless mob. “Then they mobbed him, putting their hands over their ears, and drowning out his voice with their shouts, and dragged him out of the city to stone him. And as the murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” and with that, he died.” (Acts 7:57-60)
When we commit our spirit to God our spirit and His Spirit connect and we are changed supernaturally. Because we are so used to our old nature it is difficult to accept the change but it is our responsibility to grow into the new nature God has granted us. “But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him.” (Col.3:8-10) For more about your new nature read “Study More”.
