The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.

Proverbs 12:16 (ESV)

It is certainly difficult to ignore an insult. The devil, who I believe is an expert in psychology, knows exactly, not only how to effectively tempt us to sin, but also how to exactly push our bottoms. It is important to understand that when we allow our hearts to be offended, we have allowed our hearts to sin. There is no pride in being offended; the Bible calls us fools when we walk around offended, even when it is the other person’s fault. So, what I want to explore on this post are practical ways to avoid feeling insulted. 

Let’s start by defining the word Insult. This is the Hebrew word qālôn: meaning “To shame, to disgrace. It refers to a feeling and condition of shame, of being put on display in mockery (Job 10:15); or of being dishonored (Ps. 83:16[17]).”^[1]

When we were in the world, we just let them have it or pop them in the mouth, so they learn not to mess with us. Well, that is not an option in God’s Kingdom. His ways are not our ways. To learn how to resist insults and not popping somebody in the mouth, the Bible tells us to be Prudent. The word Prudent is the Hebrew word, ʿārûm: meaning “Crafty, shrewd, sensible. A prudent individual: 

1. Takes no offense at an insult (Prov. 12:16).
2. Does not flaunt his knowledge (Prov. 12:23). 
3. Takes careful thought of his ways (Prov. 14:8). 
4. Takes careful thought before action (Prov. 14:15); 
5. Is crowned with knowledge (Prov. 14:18); and 
6. Sees and avoids danger (Prov. 22:3; 27:12).^[2]

So, a prudent men or women has these amazing characteristics and, because of his or her level of spiritual maturity, he or she can do something amazing; something that is hard to do, about impossible for many of us… are you ready? A prudent person IGNORES THE INSULT. 

The word Ignores is the Hebrew word, kāsāh: meaning “To cover, to clothe, to conceal. The active meaning of this verb is to cover, to cover up. It is used in a literal sense to indicate that something is covering something else…”^[3]

Let’s look at this definition a little more deeply. What is the first thing an insulted person does? They spread their insult! They want to tell everybody of what so and so did. They want to prove how good they are and what a jerk the other person is; they want to gather their troops and expose the person that insulted them for what they are… they want to hit back. I know I do; I want to do all these things and more. However, the prudent covers the insult to make sure nobody knows. Essentially, the prudent covers the other person’s stupidity…. Wow!!!!! You want to know the art of facing insults? The art of facing insults is to ignore them.

^[1] Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 996.

^[2] Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 870–871.

^[3] Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 515–516.