He has said terrible things about you, and you want to return the favor by sharing his misdeeds with everyone. Yet this is not what God expects of His children, and following Him … would change the world!
Aren’t we fed up with people constantly attacking each other? If Christians chose to bless rather than insult, this world would be a better place. It’s time to let our guard down, let go of attitude and pride, and learn to live in peace with those we don’t agree with. “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9 NKJV).
One of the great themes of the Epistles of Peter is to live in peace with the world. He wants us to be good neighbors and not act like everyone else. In the passage quoted above, he tells his readers to choose to bless rather than insult. Human nature wants to return evil for evil and insult for insult. Those with a sharp wit and a fun return to people are considered savvy by the world. Peter says to go against this trend by blessing the people.
We need to want to bless our friends, neighbors, and enemies because we inherited a blessing when we decided to follow Christ. It will seem strange to others when we do this, and at first, it will be difficult for us, but eventually, we will see the reasons for it. Jesus blessed us when we were His enemy, and now He wants us to do the same with salvation to those who go to hell.
Choose to bless rather than insult, and that will reduce the fuel that causes division. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 NKJV). It will also pave the way for unity in the Church. Not all fights are worth fighting. Let us choose our battles wisely. We may seem a little silly at first but, we will prove to be the wise ones over time.
In addition, our blessing can catch our enemy off guard and make him speechless. “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12 NKJV).