Proverbs 12:16. the prudent ignores an insult.
Are you able to ignore insults?
Truly this proverb is reminding us to do one of the most difficult things ever done – ignore an insult. This word ignore means “to cover.” It is a bit more than just acting like it didn’t happen (which is nearly impossible to do). It is actively forgiving the insult and keeping no record of the wrong. Proverbs 10:12 uses this same word when it says “love covers an offense.” The prudent person is able to lovingly cover over offensive or insulting words spoken to them. How? From love.
But if we’re honest, we typically meet insult with insult. When insulted we gleefully insult right back. But this just keeps a never ending cycle of harsh, foolish, and mean speech going and going until we eventually say something that is irreparable. Jesus condemned such insults in his Sermon on the Mount. Whoever calls another raca (inferior idiot) is in danger of the fire of Hell, he said.
Jesus himself did not return insult for insult. In the New Testament the Apostle Peter describes our savior this way:
1 Peter 2:23. When they hurled their insults at Jesus, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to God who judges justly.
What did Jesus do instead of insulting back? He trusted God. He trusted that God would judge and take care of the ones who say mean things. And this faith in the justice of God allows us to cover over insults with love. The love of the cross. The love of the cruciform life.
Can we do this too? In Christ we can. No, it’s never easy. It’s never easy to let the Spirit crush the flesh. But it is possible. By grace through faith, it is possible. When we trust the promises of Christ and know that God loves us no matter what, we can be prudent and ignore insults too.
You: How do you typically respond to insults?
You in Christ: Christ our savior did not insult back at the cross. If he had, our salvation would be void. How can this truth of your salvation allow you to also respond to insults with forgiveness and grace?
Christ in you: What specifically will you do to cover over an insult with love today?
Pray: Father, help me to be able to cover over insults with love as I learn to trust your cruciform justice more and more. Amen.
To Live is Christ 