It was the cruelest thing that anybody had ever personally directed at him in his life. It totally emasculated him and made him feel absolutely worthless. To excoriate him like that pilfered the manhood of his soul. It was apparent that this person was ashamed of him. It cut so deep that the flesh flared up inside of him. With reciprocity, he began formulating an equal and raging response. However, the Spirit of the Lord came to the surface of his psyche and calmed him down. In only a few seconds, the recipient of the verbal attack, said nothing, turned, and walked away.

With his mouth wide open, the attacker stood there dismayed, seemingly not knowing what to do or say next. Walking away had taken the wind right out of the attacker’s sails. He’d walked away with peace in his heart, a smile on his face, and the love of God in him. He left the person standing there dumbfounded without any further abuse. Our apparent victim chose not to be a victim or to receive the malicious words used to impugn his character. Instead of defending himself, he went into a silent prayer for the attacking individual and gave his cares over to the Lord [1].

How many times have we found ourselves in this predicament and on the receiving end of a nasty verbal attack, whether warranted or not? How many of us would walk away as did the man in the above anecdote, let alone pray for the person?

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9 KJV]

I am ashamed to say that there have been a few times in my past that I have recompensed evil for evil [2]. Nobody is going to talk to me like that and get away with doing so. What was I, a man, or a wimp? Sad to say, those retaliatory times put me into the valley of wimpdom, if you will allow me the latitude to get a little creative with the English language.

Searching back to those times, I can just see the Father looking down on me and shaking His head. I was definitely not acting like a child of God. I should have walked away, given it to the Lord, blessed, and/or prayed for them. I should let the Lord name me and not the world.

Matthew 5:9, notwithstanding, here is some other Scriptures that warn us of such retaliatory responses and the remedies for same [3]. Here are a few verses. I’ll leave the rest for your search and study. There are a ton more.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [Romans 12:17, 19 KJV]

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [Hebrews 10:30 KJV]

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. [Matthew 11:29, 30 KJV]

___________________________________
[1] Psalms 55:22; 1 Peter 5:6, 7; Psalms 34:17
[2] Romans 12:17
[3] Proverbs 15:1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 18; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; Matthew 5:39; Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 20:22; Genesis 50:15; Psalms 55:22; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 2:5