Vengeance ?

So often people equate 'vengeance ' with 'vindictiveness'. According to Merriam-Webster  both words are in the top 1% in popularity. According to today's use, these words represent  resentment, anger, spitefulness and a desire to hurt or at the very least, celebrating when someone gets his or her comeuppance.

We see a large amount of vindictiveness and vengeance in today's world. When we look into God's word it may be hard to understand vengeance in the proper way biblically if we read into it from current cultural understandings of its meaning.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:18-21

The word 'vengeance' in this verse is translated from the Greek word: ekdikesis:

There is no darkness in God; he is a just and loving father.. When I looked at the definition of ekdikesis, the result was vengeance and vindication (exoneration from  accusation.) God's justice is greater than any of us could ever imagine. He knows exactly when, why, and where to apply justice not with resentment or spite, but with love and redemption, grace, mercy and peace. That is why we leave it to him. He has a much bigger picture all that is involved than we do.

Many people in  our world today persist at challenging, confronting and acting like judge and jury to anything they disagree with.  'Virtue signaling' is at a premium as evidenced through the millions of memes and quotes all over media sites. God, however says to us that IF thine enemy hunger we are to feed him. It says IF he hungers whether it be for food, love, or kindness.  IF he thirsts for answers, answer him by speaking the truth in love. By doing so we're warming his head (mind), leaving the rest to God. It is a very peaceful and successful way to live.

It is easy to be angry with lies, hypocrisy and disrespect, but going after these things at the wrong moment or in the wrong way can start a hornet's nest buzzing. When we wait on God, we learn so much and our capacity to love grows bigger. Prayer dispels the anger while we wait.

When there is no justness in the sense of fairness and rightness people grumble and stumble and strike out at each other. When true justness abounds, when people are enjoying God's path, peace and joy abound. It brings God pleasure (enjoyment) and it blesses everybody who come into contact with it.

7 When a man's ways please  the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7