If you interact with people at any level, there will be times that you will be misunderstood, misrepresented, and even maligned. Believe it or not, people will not always say nice things about you. Most likely, this revelation is not a surprise to you.
As a younger man, I didn’t always respond in the best fashion. It was easy to give in the temptation to join the other person in the gutter. That’s often what they want you to do. But, as I remember my mom telling me, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
So, what to do?
Take the high road.
Taking the high road means you won’t wade into the sludge, slinging mud around. Taking the high road means that you won’t shred the other person with the truth. Taking the high road means you won’t feel the need to defend every misrepresentation or outright lie. Taking the high road means following the command of Peter:
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” — 1 Peter 3:9
Returning insult with insult is a no-win proposition. It creates a downward spiral. In the end, it simply does not honor Jesus.
This is why the Proverb writer offered this counsel: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him” (Proverbs 26:4).
Answering a foolish charge may make you feel better, but it may not elevate Jesus. Answering a fool using foolish logic will make you a fool as well.
Taking the high road isn’t easy. It is necessary.