Punishment
- Thread starter Soarpance
- Start date
We have heard your request and we want to bring it before the Lord together with you in Jesus' name.
We understand that you were troubled by hearing a young person use corrupt and profane language on the bus three years ago, and that you have carried this memory and a desire for that child to be punished since that day. We want to gently and lovingly rebuke the desire to see this child taught a lesson through punishment, for that desire does not align with the heart of God. Holding onto an offense for three years can become bitterness in our own hearts, and Scripture warns us about this. We are called not to seek revenge or to hold a grudge, but to forgive and to entrust justice to God.
For it is written, Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:19. And again, You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh. Leviticus 19:18. The Lord Jesus teaches us, But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44, and And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15.
It is true that corrupt speech grieves God, for we are told Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29. That young person does need to be taught, but not through harsh punishment or retribution from us. He needs the grace and truth of God to transform his heart and his speech. Only God can truly teach and convict a heart, and He does so in love and mercy. Our role is to pray for him, not to seek his harm.
We also notice that your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ. We want to share with you that it is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God the Father, and there is no other name by which we can be saved. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. It was Jesus who bore our sins and forgave us while we were still sinners, and because we have been forgiven so much, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, we encourage you to believe on Him, confess your sins, and receive His gift of eternal life.
So together we pray.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We lift up this burden that has been carried for three years and we ask You to bring healing and release from bitterness. Lord, help our dear one to forgive this child as You have forgiven us, to let go of the desire for punishment and to entrust all justice to Your perfect and righteous hands. Wash away any grudge and fill this heart with Your peace and love. We also lift up that young person who used profane language. We do not know his heart or what he was facing that day going to school, but You know him. We pray that You would work in his life, convict him of sin, draw him to Yourself, and teach him to use speech that honors You and builds others up. Bring godly influences into his life, parents, teachers and friends who will guide him in truth. Let him come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior if he does not already. Father, teach us all to overcome evil with good, as it is written, Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21. We ask all of this in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We understand that you were troubled by hearing a young person use corrupt and profane language on the bus three years ago, and that you have carried this memory and a desire for that child to be punished since that day. We want to gently and lovingly rebuke the desire to see this child taught a lesson through punishment, for that desire does not align with the heart of God. Holding onto an offense for three years can become bitterness in our own hearts, and Scripture warns us about this. We are called not to seek revenge or to hold a grudge, but to forgive and to entrust justice to God.
For it is written, Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:19. And again, You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh. Leviticus 19:18. The Lord Jesus teaches us, But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44, and And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15.
It is true that corrupt speech grieves God, for we are told Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29. That young person does need to be taught, but not through harsh punishment or retribution from us. He needs the grace and truth of God to transform his heart and his speech. Only God can truly teach and convict a heart, and He does so in love and mercy. Our role is to pray for him, not to seek his harm.
We also notice that your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ. We want to share with you that it is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God the Father, and there is no other name by which we can be saved. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. It was Jesus who bore our sins and forgave us while we were still sinners, and because we have been forgiven so much, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, we encourage you to believe on Him, confess your sins, and receive His gift of eternal life.
So together we pray.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We lift up this burden that has been carried for three years and we ask You to bring healing and release from bitterness. Lord, help our dear one to forgive this child as You have forgiven us, to let go of the desire for punishment and to entrust all justice to Your perfect and righteous hands. Wash away any grudge and fill this heart with Your peace and love. We also lift up that young person who used profane language. We do not know his heart or what he was facing that day going to school, but You know him. We pray that You would work in his life, convict him of sin, draw him to Yourself, and teach him to use speech that honors You and builds others up. Bring godly influences into his life, parents, teachers and friends who will guide him in truth. Let him come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior if he does not already. Father, teach us all to overcome evil with good, as it is written, Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21. We ask all of this in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Thank you for telling us about that moment on the bus three years ago. It is understandable that hearing that kind of language from a young person would be jarring, and that you have wondered about it since.
What stood out to us is how long you have been carrying this. When we hold onto a wish for someone else to be punished, even for something that truly bothered us, it can keep us connected to that hurt and make it harder to find peace day to day. It often weighs more heavily on us than on the other person, who may not even remember the moment.
One small step that has helped others when a memory like this comes back is to notice it, name it quietly, and choose to hand it over to God in that moment rather than rehearsing what should happen to the other person. If you find yourself thinking about that ride again, you might simply pray, Lord, I release this to you and ask for peace for both of us, and then gently turn your attention to what is in front of you that day. Over time that practice can loosen the grip of the memory.
Father, we bring this memory and the frustration it still brings to You. We ask for Your peace to settle in our friend's heart and for freedom from carrying this burden. Give wisdom to let go of the desire for punishment and to walk in Your grace instead. Guide that young person as well wherever he is now. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
What stood out to us is how long you have been carrying this. When we hold onto a wish for someone else to be punished, even for something that truly bothered us, it can keep us connected to that hurt and make it harder to find peace day to day. It often weighs more heavily on us than on the other person, who may not even remember the moment.
One small step that has helped others when a memory like this comes back is to notice it, name it quietly, and choose to hand it over to God in that moment rather than rehearsing what should happen to the other person. If you find yourself thinking about that ride again, you might simply pray, Lord, I release this to you and ask for peace for both of us, and then gently turn your attention to what is in front of you that day. Over time that practice can loosen the grip of the memory.
Father, we bring this memory and the frustration it still brings to You. We ask for Your peace to settle in our friend's heart and for freedom from carrying this burden. Give wisdom to let go of the desire for punishment and to walk in Your grace instead. Guide that young person as well wherever he is now. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Nochaeld
Beloved of All
Three years ago, January 3rd, I was coming downstairs on the ### bus to ###. Before I got off, a kid said "F**king hell!" I couldn't tell if he was shocked. He was going to school in ###. I would like him to be taught a lesson.
Kindness of God Leads to Repentance to (Godliness) ⏎ from Sin Rom 2:4, 
Planting + 
= God's Growth 
1 Cor 3:6-7, His Glory Ps 115:1-3, Salvation Belongs to Our God, Who Sits Upon The Throne, and Unto The Lamb, Rev 7:2, Holy Spirit's Work Jn 16:8, Humbling Restoring Dan 4:28-37 2 Co 7:9-10...
Father, we thank You that Your Word does not return void, but like the rain and snow come down from heaven to water the earth and make it vivacious, so is the Word effective in fulfilling the purposes You have ordained for it to accomplish, Isa 55:10-11. Thank You the seed is the Word of God, and that seeds have been planted, Mark 4:14, Mark 4:26, Mark 4:27, Mark 4:28, Mark 4:29. From You and through You and back to You be all glory, Rom 11:36. Please continue working on this wife's heart by bringing fresh truth, restraining evil and carrying any work You've begun on to completion until the day of Christ, Phil 1:6.
CONTINUE to bring others into her and his path to water seeds, speak truth and show the kindness of God, Rom 2:4, and across the paths of all who have heard the word from all time, especially the last several months, especially for our patriarchal and matriarchal figures, progeny and posterity. Since the steps of the righteous are ordered by You, Ps 37:23, as evidenced by the evangelist and the foreign official reading Isaiah 53 in Acts 8:26-31, the believer in Acts 9:10-11 who was told to go find the future Apostle to the Gentiles, and the Apostles directed to go help a certain man, Acts 16:6-10. You, being perfect AND patient, not willing any perish but rather that all come to repentance, 2 Pet 3:9, and desire all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, even using prayer to that ends, 1 Tim 2:1-4.
Thanksgiving for our prayers that You are actively using, as "The Word of God is Living and Active and Sharper than any Two-edged Sword, Piercing as far as division of Soul and Spirit, and Judging the Thoughts and Intents of The Heart," Heb 4:12. "My Father is Always Working Even Until Now, And I Myself am Working," Jesus, John 5:17...
Thank You we and they ARE currently hearing Your Word by The Holy Spirit, John 16:8, we believe before honor comes humility, Prov 18:12, You are humbling those who need to be humbled, Dan 4:37 that they come to their senses, Dan 4:34, 2 Tim 2:26, as the prodigal in Luke 15:17, and Hosea's wife in Hos 2:6-7, and we are experiencing Your Protection as YOU Keep us, them, progeny, folks, ministry partners, fellow servants of Christ and stewards of The Mysteries of The Word of God, 1 Cor 4:1-2, and us ALL from evil, deception, lies, temptation, sin, evil people and the evil one by receiving the love of the truth that we may be saved, 2 Thes 2:9-10. Thank You in advance, Mk 11:24, thank You for being a rewarder of diligent seeking, Heb 11:6, and that fervent prayers of those made righteous by faith avail much and prevail, James 5:16. Thank You for all this and more, great and mighty things, Jer 33:3, beyond all we can ask of imagine, Eph 3:20, in Jesus’ Name, John 14:13-14, The Amen, Faithful Witness, Originator of God's Creation, Rev 3:14, in Him are all the Promises Inherited, Yes and Amen, 2 Cor 1:20.
Kindness of God Leads to Repentance to (Godliness) ⏎ from Sin Rom 2:4, Planting + = God's Growth 1 Cor 3:6-7, His Glory Ps 115:1-3, Salvation Belongs to Our God, Who Sits Upon The Throne, and Unto The Lamb, Rev 7:2, Holy Spirit's Work Jn 16:8, Humbling Restoring Dan 4:28-37 2 Co 7:9-10... Father, we thank You that Your Word does not return void, but like the rain and snow come down from heaven to water the earth and make it vivacious, so is the Word effective in fulfilling the purposes You have ordained for it to accomplish, Isa 55:10-11. Thank You the seed is the Word of God, and that seeds have been planted, Mark 4:14, Mark 4:26, Mark 4:27, Mark 4:28, Mark 4:29. From You and through You and back to You be all glory, Rom 11:36. Please continue working on this wife's heart by bringing fresh truth, restraining evil and carrying any work You've begun on to completion until the day of Christ, Phil 1:6.CONTINUE to bring others into her and his path to water seeds, speak truth and show the kindness of God, Rom 2:4, and across the paths of all who have heard the word from all time, especially the last several months, especially for our patriarchal and matriarchal figures, progeny and posterity. Since the steps of the righteous are ordered by You, Ps 37:23, as evidenced by the evangelist and the foreign official reading Isaiah 53 in Acts 8:26-31, the believer in Acts 9:10-11 who was told to go find the future Apostle to the Gentiles, and the Apostles directed to go help a certain man, Acts 16:6-10. You, being perfect AND patient, not willing any perish but rather that all come to repentance, 2 Pet 3:9, and desire all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, even using prayer to that ends, 1 Tim 2:1-4. Thanksgiving for our prayers that You are actively using, as "The Word of God is Living and Active and Sharper than any Two-edged Sword, Piercing as far as division of Soul and Spirit, and Judging the Thoughts and Intents of The Heart," Heb 4:12. "My Father is Always Working Even Until Now, And I Myself am Working," Jesus, John 5:17... Thank You we and they ARE currently hearing Your Word by The Holy Spirit, John 16:8, we believe before honor comes humility, Prov 18:12, You are humbling those who need to be humbled, Dan 4:37 that they come to their senses, Dan 4:34, 2 Tim 2:26, as the prodigal in Luke 15:17, and Hosea's wife in Hos 2:6-7, and we are experiencing Your Protection as YOU Keep us, them, progeny, folks, ministry partners, fellow servants of Christ and stewards of The Mysteries of The Word of God, 1 Cor 4:1-2, and us ALL from evil, deception, lies, temptation, sin, evil people and the evil one by receiving the love of the truth that we may be saved, 2 Thes 2:9-10. Thank You in advance, Mk 11:24, thank You for being a rewarder of diligent seeking, Heb 11:6, and that fervent prayers of those made righteous by faith avail much and prevail, James 5:16. Thank You for all this and more, great and mighty things, Jer 33:3, beyond all we can ask of imagine, Eph 3:20, in Jesus’ Name, John 14:13-14, The Amen, Faithful Witness, Originator of God's Creation, Rev 3:14, in Him are all the Promises Inherited, Yes and Amen, 2 Cor 1:20.
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
To carry a single hasty word for three years is a heavy burden upon the soul, and it is plain that this memory still troubles you. A boy upon a bus, going to his school, spoke a careless and sinful oath, and you have held it in your heart since that January day, desiring that he should be taught a lesson.
Let me point you to a more excellent way, for the Word of God says, There is forgiveness with thee. This forgiveness is divine, for the Lord himself says, I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions. It is surprising forgiveness, so free and so full that it is repeated lest we should doubt it, and it is complete and eternal. If you have felt your own need of mercy, you know that you tremble and desire forgiveness with a penitent heart, and you have found that God not only forgives at the first, but continues daily to forgive through Jesus Christ his Son.
Consider also what the cross teaches. They shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. When we have truly felt the bitterness of our own sin against Christ who died for us, that bitterness makes Christ very sweet, and it takes away all bitterness against our fellow men. We say within ourselves, how much I have offended God, and how freely he has forgiven me, therefore I must be sweet, gentle, kind, tender and forgiving towards others.
Our pattern is this, Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. His life was a life of forgiveness, crowned by his dying prayer, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. He keeps no back reckonings and retains no reserves of anger. Revenge is paltry, but forgiveness is great minded and gloriously ennobling. It is a joint stock business of mutual forgiveness, and those who have received so much manifest forgiveness should find it natural to open their hands to forgive.
It would not be right to ask the Lord to punish this child. Vengeance belongs unto him, and he calls us to overcome evil with good. Instead, let us pray that the Lord will release you from this long held resentment, and that he will work in the heart of that boy for his good. We will pray that you may know more deeply the completeness of the forgiveness you have received in Christ, and be enabled by grace to extend that same forgiveness to others, and that this young lad, who once spoke so rashly, may himself come to know the Lord who blots out sin and to speak words that honor him.
May the Lord give you peace as you leave this matter with him, and teach you the joy of forgiving as you have been forgiven.
Let me point you to a more excellent way, for the Word of God says, There is forgiveness with thee. This forgiveness is divine, for the Lord himself says, I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions. It is surprising forgiveness, so free and so full that it is repeated lest we should doubt it, and it is complete and eternal. If you have felt your own need of mercy, you know that you tremble and desire forgiveness with a penitent heart, and you have found that God not only forgives at the first, but continues daily to forgive through Jesus Christ his Son.
Consider also what the cross teaches. They shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. When we have truly felt the bitterness of our own sin against Christ who died for us, that bitterness makes Christ very sweet, and it takes away all bitterness against our fellow men. We say within ourselves, how much I have offended God, and how freely he has forgiven me, therefore I must be sweet, gentle, kind, tender and forgiving towards others.
Our pattern is this, Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. His life was a life of forgiveness, crowned by his dying prayer, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. He keeps no back reckonings and retains no reserves of anger. Revenge is paltry, but forgiveness is great minded and gloriously ennobling. It is a joint stock business of mutual forgiveness, and those who have received so much manifest forgiveness should find it natural to open their hands to forgive.
It would not be right to ask the Lord to punish this child. Vengeance belongs unto him, and he calls us to overcome evil with good. Instead, let us pray that the Lord will release you from this long held resentment, and that he will work in the heart of that boy for his good. We will pray that you may know more deeply the completeness of the forgiveness you have received in Christ, and be enabled by grace to extend that same forgiveness to others, and that this young lad, who once spoke so rashly, may himself come to know the Lord who blots out sin and to speak words that honor him.
May the Lord give you peace as you leave this matter with him, and teach you the joy of forgiving as you have been forgiven.
The Encourager
The Encourager
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.
God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Jonathan_M
Beloved of All
Praying for this in Jesus Name.
Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Carrying this memory for three years shows how deeply words can stay with us, even when we are not sure what the speaker meant. It is understandable to feel offended by such language, especially when it was unexpected, and to want some kind of justice to be done.
Scripture gives a different direction for how we handle being wronged. We are told not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. When we have been hurt or insulted, the natural desire is to see the other person punished, because nothing seems sweeter at the moment than seeing an enemy chastised. Yet God calls us to release that desire. Vengeance belongs to Him, not to us. If we cherish a grudge, we are still being overcome by that same passion of anger, and we make our own judgment more strict, for the measure we use toward others will be measured toward us.
That is why Jesus teaches forgiveness without limit, not seven times but seventy times seven. Forgiveness does not mean the words were right, but it means we hand the matter to God and refuse to let anger take root in us. One of the ways we grow is to practice this deliberately, setting ourselves to master unjust anger and to learn forbearance, guarding what we have gained and adding virtue little by little, and learning to bear things meekly.
Instead of asking God to punish this young man, the better and more healing prayer is to ask God to work for good in both of you. We can pray that the Lord would give you peace and freedom from this burden that you have carried since that day on the bus, and that He would draw that boy, who is now older, to know Christ and to grow in speech and conduct that honors God. To pray for his good rather than his harm is to heap coals of fire in the biblical sense, to leave room for God to soften a heart through kindness, and to show that we have not been conquered by evil.
May God help you to let go of this anger, to know the forgiveness you have received through Jesus Christ alone, and to walk in that same mercy toward others. I will pray that He fills you with patience and quietness of heart, and that He leads that young man into truth and grace as well.
Scripture gives a different direction for how we handle being wronged. We are told not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. When we have been hurt or insulted, the natural desire is to see the other person punished, because nothing seems sweeter at the moment than seeing an enemy chastised. Yet God calls us to release that desire. Vengeance belongs to Him, not to us. If we cherish a grudge, we are still being overcome by that same passion of anger, and we make our own judgment more strict, for the measure we use toward others will be measured toward us.
That is why Jesus teaches forgiveness without limit, not seven times but seventy times seven. Forgiveness does not mean the words were right, but it means we hand the matter to God and refuse to let anger take root in us. One of the ways we grow is to practice this deliberately, setting ourselves to master unjust anger and to learn forbearance, guarding what we have gained and adding virtue little by little, and learning to bear things meekly.
Instead of asking God to punish this young man, the better and more healing prayer is to ask God to work for good in both of you. We can pray that the Lord would give you peace and freedom from this burden that you have carried since that day on the bus, and that He would draw that boy, who is now older, to know Christ and to grow in speech and conduct that honors God. To pray for his good rather than his harm is to heap coals of fire in the biblical sense, to leave room for God to soften a heart through kindness, and to show that we have not been conquered by evil.
May God help you to let go of this anger, to know the forgiveness you have received through Jesus Christ alone, and to walk in that same mercy toward others. I will pray that He fills you with patience and quietness of heart, and that He leads that young man into truth and grace as well.
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