Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

~Romans 12:19 ESV

I looked over my class list for the new year and saw a name I recognized. Their family was very involved. I also knew one of this child’s older relatives loved me dearly and had loved me since I was a kid. I anticipated a great year. We were reacquainted at open house, and the year was off to a roaring start. Little did I know that I would need the God of justice to get me through the year.

The Unjust Gossip

During our team planning meeting a few weeks into the school year, one of my partner teachers complained about how the family was treating her. She overheard them in a public place ripping her name to shreds and asked us how she should handle it. I questioned her to ensure this was the same family. It was. What had my partner teacher done to make them so mad?

A few weeks later, in our planning meeting, the other teacher in our wheel made a similar comment. She, too, was having the same issues with this family. After she finished ranting, she looked at me and said, “By the way, they’re not happy with you either. They went on and on about how unfair you are and don’t help their child when they ask. Seems like they hate all of us.”

I tried to wrap my brain around these words. How could this family, who’d always been nice and kind to me, turn against me? What had I done?

The conversation disappeared into the recesses of my brain as the busyness of the week took over. Friday came around, and my partner teacher caught me as soon as I walked in the door. “They were talking about you at the ball field. It was awful.” She gave me some more details and asked me what I was going to do about it.

The Just God

“Well, to begin with, none of it is true, and anyone who knows me will attest to it. I’m not going to do anything. My work ethic, lifestyle, and teaching will prove who I am in the end.”

My partner teacher’s mouth fell open, and she walked away in disbelief. I went inside my office and prayed. God, please help me treat this family and their child with grace, love, and mercy. You and I know there’s no truth in their words. Reveal the reality of both our characters. And let Your justice prevail.

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.

~Psalm 140:2 ESV

I continued through the rest of the year, ignoring the gossip and doing the best job I could in the classroom. Sadly, those people never changed, but other parents started correcting them and letting me know what was going on. I clung to what Paul said in Romans and asked God to take care of them so I could stay focused on the goal at hand.

Did that family ever get the justice they deserved? Were they ever corrected or put in their place? I have no idea. What I do know is that vengeance belongs to the Lord and in the end, good overcomes evil. Therefore, I must trust that God is just in His dealings and will handle those who seek to ruin me with their slander.

Step back in those heated moments and trust God to hand out vengeance and justice.

Father, when I want to take revenge, prompt me to leave justice to You. In Jesus’s name, amen. 

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: The God of Justice: Christy Bass Adams: All Rights Reserved.