Being ignored or disregarded is not pleasant for us, but being reviled is worse. The biblical example is for us to not lash out or respond in kind when being reviled. That is the subject of this paper. (For a great example of someone who withstood being slandered and unfairly accused, see my paper Daniel Honors God.)
I live in the United States and have been a Christian for many years. In all those years, I do not remember ever being reviled for my faith. I have not been persecuted, cursed, insulted, verbally abused, or slandered to my face. Yet, that is what the Bible says can happen to us. It has not happened to me, but it is happening to other Christians in the U.S.
In the News
Some Christians in the US are reviled face to face, but others experience opposition more subtly. Dr. James Spencer explains,
“Christians in the West are being controlled not so much by external forces — but by being lulled into accepting ideas that are counter to God, not by conscious choice but by the slow ‘reorientation of one’s beliefs.’ Those who resist, like the Christian Legal Society, or Jack Phillips the cake baker, or little Lydia Booth who was reprimanded in her school for wearing a “Jesus loves me” mask — they’ve become problems in a world that is growing increasingly in opposition to the claims of Christianity.”1
The Example of Jesus
When it does happen to us, there is a biblical standard of how we should respond. The example is set by Jesus, and is talked about throughout the New Testament.
Peter explains that Jesus was reviled and suffered, so it is something that we should expect:
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:21-23)
As followers of Christ, we have been given an example in the life of Jesus. Jesus did not deserve to suffer but underwent persecution at the hands of those He created. He lived an exemplary life by always telling the truth and being completely blameless. Even while being abused, He did not lash out. He also had the power to strike back but did not. Instead, He trusted God the Father.
Being reviled -How to Respond
The apostle Paul exhorts believers to respond to insults with a blessing, enduring the onslaught of the wicked against us. Paul takes this even further, saying that we should respond with gentleness and kindness.
In 1 Corinthians 4:12b-13, Paul says,
“When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.”
The last sentence describes Christians as being despised and held in low esteem by the world. Despite that, we are to speak kindly in an effort to show them the love of Christ.
Behaving properly toward outsiders
Paul also talks about our behavior towards those not in the church in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 & 12. In earlier verses Paul addresses our behavior within the church, then concerning outsiders, he says:
“make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”
Albert Barnes unpacks the deeper meaning in this Thessalonians passage: “It does not refer here to mere honesty in the transaction of business, but to their general treatment of those who were not professing Christians. They were to conduct themselves toward them in all respects in a becoming manner – to be honest with them; to be faithful to their engagements; to be kind and courteous in their conversation; to show respect where it was due, and to endeavor in every way to do them good. There are few precepts of religion more important than those which enjoin upon Christians the duty of a proper treatment of those who are not connected with the church.”2
The issue being addressed by Paul is that our behavior has an impact on our testimony. Additionally, since God made all of us in His image, respect to all is due them even if they are being hostile to us.
Kindness and Truth
Even though we might be mistreated, there is a hidden benefit to us when there is peace in our hearts. As the book of Proverbs instructs us:
“My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:1-4)
Conclusion
Treating people with kindness when they mistreat us demonstrates the love of God toward them. That is the godly response which takes the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
We might think that those who hate us and persecute us are beyond hope of being redeemed. But I am reminded of the apostle Paul who persecuted and put into prison the early Christians. Yet, his life was transformed by Jesus.
1 https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/faith-fire-dr-james-spencer-shares-recipe-christian-resistance 3/27/23 Interview with Dr. Spencer, president of the D.L. Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts.
2 Barnes’ Notes (Some of the older translations translate ‘properly’ in verse 12 as ‘honestly’. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance gives the meaning as: Becomingly, decorously, decently.)