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…When He was reviled, did not revile (1 Peter 2:23 NKJV).
In the Greek language, this phrase is loidoreo antiloidoreo ou antiloidoreo.
Loidoreo means to insult, reproach, and revile.
Antiloidoreo means not to do those things.
Reviling others—especially those who have already reviled us—is a natural response. But not reviling or responding to revilers with reviling of our own is a supernatural response.
Anyone can speak or act unkindly, and it’s sort of expected when someone else has reviled you first. But to bless someone that has revealed first or to remain silent as Jesus did, requires Spirit-empowered self-control (see 1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Peter 3:9).
Our silence in these situations speaks volumes!
Was Jesus really silent? Peter says Jesus “entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” I think Jesus had an internal dialogue with His Father, something like, “Father, You hear the hurtful reviling they are heaping on Me. I trust You to handle this so that I don’t have to.”
The only words Jesus spoke aloud to those who were reviling Him were still words spoken to His Father: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
Jesus responded with supernatural antiloidoreo, which spoke louder than their natural loidoreo!
So this has me thinking: When loidoreo is hurled at me, will I respond naturally with more loidoreo? Or will I allow the Holy Spirit to help me respond supernaturally with antiloidoreo?
My book When Sheep Bite is all about seeking to respond supernaturally when we have been treated unfairly and unkindly. This book is especially for pastors, but I also shared several posts and videos for all Christians in a series called When Sheep Bite Sheep.
You may also want to check out these related blog posts:
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Craig T. Owens 
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