How should I respond to insults? - Insults - TouchPoints

1 Samuel 10:26-27When Saul returned to his home at Gibeah, a group of men whose hearts God had touched went with him. But there were some scoundrels who complained, “How can this man save us?” And they scorned him and refused to bring him gifts. But Saul ignored them.

Proverbs 12:16A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Luke 6:27-29“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.”

Acts 18:6When they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

1 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Sometimes, the best way to respond to insults is to ignore them; other times, we may need to respond. When we do respond to insults, however, we should do so in a deliberate, controlled, and loving manner. Before responding, we should ask God to guide us and trust him to give us the right words and actions.

Matthew 5:11-12“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

Luke 6:22-23“What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”

Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:10I [the apostle Paul] take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Hebrews 10:32-34Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

When insulted, we should keep an eternal perspective. We can rejoice while being insulted for Jesus’ sake because we know that we will be victorious with him.

Lamentations 3:25-31The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.

Lamentations 3:61Lord, you have heard the vile names they call me. You know all about the plans they have made.

God is aware of every insult hurled against us. He will comfort us when insulted and reward us for how we respond in faith. Eventually, we will go to a place free of insults.