Jesus. Truly, He is our perfect example in all things regarding righteous living. Consider what Peter (an eyewitness) reveals to us about the interaction of Jesus with those who mistreated Him. “When He was reviled, [Jesus] did not revile in return” (1 Pet. 2:23). Secondly, “when He suffered, He did not threaten.” Of course, you expect that out of Jesus! But, Peter’s point is that Jesus was “leaving us an example, that [we] should follow His steps” (2:21).
How often do people do you wrong? How often do people revile you, insult you, abuse you verbally? How often do you suffer at the maltreatment of others? It may seem impossible, but the Lord calls us to not respond in like manner, but (1) to keep on committing ourselves to our God (1 Pet. 2:23), (2) to practice the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31), and (3) to do that person right regardless (Rom. 12:17-21; Matt. 5:44).
Not only did Jesus not respond to evil with evil, but He didn’t behave that way in the first place! What a lesson for us!