Reviling and reproaching are actions characterized by verbal abuse, insult, or scorn directed towards individuals, often with the intent to demean or belittle. In the context of the Christian faith, saints—those who are set apart for God—may find themselves the targets of such hostility due to their beliefs and righteous living. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should respond to reviling and reproaching, emphasizing the power and importance of prayer.

Biblical Context

Throughout Scripture, the people of God have faced reviling and reproaching from those who oppose them. This opposition often stems from a rejection of God's truth and a resistance to His ways. Jesus Himself warned His followers that they would face persecution and reviling for His name's sake. In Matthew 5:11-12 , Jesus states, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

Prayer as a Response

The Bible encourages believers to respond to reviling and reproaching with prayer, seeking strength, wisdom, and comfort from God. Prayer is a means of entrusting one's situation to the Lord, who is just and sovereign. In the face of hostility, prayer becomes a refuge and a source of peace.

1. Seeking God's Help and Justice: The Psalms are replete with examples of saints crying out to God in the midst of reviling. Psalm 109:4 illustrates this, where David, despite being attacked, declares, "In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer." Here, prayer is depicted as a response to false accusations and hostility.

2. Praying for Enemies: Jesus taught His followers to pray for those who persecute them. In Matthew 5:44 , He instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical approach transforms the believer's heart and aligns it with God's love and mercy.

3. Endurance and Strength: The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the trials and reviling he faced. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 , he writes, "That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Prayer is a means by which believers can find strength in their weakness, relying on God's power to endure.

4. Entrusting to God's Judgment: Believers are encouraged to leave judgment to God. In 1 Peter 2:23 , Peter describes Jesus' response to reviling: "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Prayer is an act of entrusting oneself to God's righteous judgment.

Examples from Scripture

· Stephen: The first Christian martyr, Stephen, provides a profound example of praying under reviling. As he was being stoned, he prayed for his persecutors, saying, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). His prayer reflects a Christ-like love and forgiveness even in the face of death.

· Paul and Silas: In Acts 16:25 , Paul and Silas, after being beaten and imprisoned, prayed and sang hymns to God. Their response to reviling and reproach was to turn to God in prayer, demonstrating faith and resilience.

Conclusion

The biblical response to reviling and reproaching is deeply rooted in prayer. Through prayer, saints find solace, strength, and the ability to love their enemies, reflecting the character of Christ. The examples of biblical figures who prayed under persecution serve as a testament to the transformative power of prayer in the life of a believer.2 Kings 19:4,16
It may be the LORD your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD your God has heard: why lift up your prayer for the remnant that are left.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 89:50
Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

What is a reviler in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus say “Father, forgive them” on the cross? | GotQuestions.org

Reviling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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