I am a huge fan of Marvel movies. Ever since the debut of the first Iron Man film in 2008, I’ve been hooked on the lives and stories of the characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I am such a big fan that two years ago during my month-long Christmas break from school I watched all twenty-three movies in the Infinity Saga in the order that they premiered (if you want proof, check out my Marvel Marathon story highlight on Instagram). This year, I’ve watched every new MCU movie in theaters the weekend it released, I’ve seen every episode of the MCU shows on Disney+ (twice!), and I have plans to see the new Spider-Man: No Way Home movie this Saturday.

Marvel fans, myself included, love these movies because the characters are so relatable, and they face challenges that are similar to the ones we struggle with. They inspire us to face our problems head-on and avenge the wrongdoings that occur in our lives. For those with a strong sense of justice, seeking vengeance against evildoers feels good and right, and surely it must be good and right when it is portrayed so positively in superhero movies. However, the Bible tells a different story.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans,

“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

Though it may feel like the good and right thing to do, we, as believers, are not to avenge ourselves or others. We’re not to act like vigilantes, attempting to achieve justice while lacking true authority. Instead, we’re to leave all evil and injustices in the hands of God. Why?

“Because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6b

God is an avenger of wrongdoings (Psalm 99:8), a God of vengeance (Psalm 94:1). Vengeance is His (Deuteronomy 32:35, Hebrews 10:30), and He executes great vengeance (Ezekiel 25:17). This isn’t how we typically think of God. In our minds, we often see God as only loving, gracious, and merciful, not vengeful, wrathful, and angry. These attributes may seem out of character for God, but the truth is that it is only through His vengeance and wrath that He can perform true justice against evildoers.

The words used for “vengeance” in the Bible (Hebrew naqam and Greek ekdikesis) highlight God’s anger towards sin and refer to the punishment He doles out on His enemies who have sinned against Him. “Vengeance” indicates the just and righteous punishment of a guilty soul, and only a holy, just, and righteous God is able to execute this judgment. Pastor Steven Lawson teaches,

“Vengeance is the necessary response of holy God against sinners. It is when God rightly avenges the wrong suffered against Him.”^[1]

And who are the recipients of God’s vengeance? People and nations who did not obey Him (Micah 5:15, 1 Thessalonians 1:8). Those who hated God and became His enemy or adversary (Deuteronomy 32:43), and those who persecuted and killed His people (Jeremiah 15:15, Joel 3:31, Revelation 6:10). And through this vengeance, God saves His people from the schemes of the wicked (Isaiah 35:4).

The Lord is an avenger; we are not. God will save His people and punish the villains of this world, but this is not our job. We are not called to avenge. We are called to love-

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18

There’s a lot of sin and evil in this world, and if you’re anything like me, you would love the chance to execute vengeance on some criminals. But we don’t have that kind of authority. Only God has the authority to execute vengeance on sinners, and He has promised to do so. In the meantime, we must love our enemies and hope that they may come to repentance. And we can pray for God’s vengeance and justice to come soon-

“O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.” Jeremiah 20:12

^[1] Steven Lawson, Show Me Your Glory: Understanding the Majestic Splendor of God (Sanford: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2020), 251.