I Corinthians 4:12b, 13a (NKJV)

Being reviled, we bless, being persecuted we endure, being defamed, we entreat….

(I. Cor. 4:13, AMPV)…When we are slandered and defamed, we (try to) answer softly and bring comfort.

The people we angrily retort to are often family--our spouse and children. Sometimes when insulted, we may believe, “Don’t answer back.” But even a mouse squeaks when swung from human fingers grasping his tail.

The Apostle Paul suggests a quiet response to being reviled, a difficult action for humans. We aren’t mice.

After responding to questions from Caiphas, the high priest, Jesus was slapped by a nearby officer. The Lord asked the man, “….why did you strike me?”( Jn. 18:31) Jesus’ confrontation wasn’t a mouse-like response.

We might ponder: How did that officer feel about Jesus’ question? Did he hear love in Jesus’ voice? Instead of hearing an angry confrontation, did the man sense the comforting conviction of the Holy Spirit? Did Jesus ask his question knowing the soldier would wonder whom he’d slapped and then repent?

A pastor told me, years ago, “Earn the right to confront, by first proving your love to a person.” Jesus cared, confronted and changed people.

Our soft-spoken responses may change lives if, like Jesus our words flow from the power of the Holy Spirit and love, not from our human reactions and thoughts.

Geni J. White, RN, MS (Psych)