Last week we discussed how persecution and trials are not only to be expected, but are to be embraced as opportunities to enter more fully into the kingdom of God. These are allowed as tests of our faith, and to purify our faith. The fear of God and the fear of man cannot coexist. One or the other will rule our lives. Persecutions, slander, and other attacks help to deliver us from and sift out of our lives the things that would cause us to compromise our most valuable treasure—our devotion to God. Consider again what Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10:
To the degree that man pleasing controls our lives, we have forsaken our bond-service to Christ. As Paul also wrote in II Timothy 3:12:
As Christians we should be much more concerned if we are not being persecuted than if we are. If we are not being persecuted, it is likely because we have so compromised the ways of the Lord that we are no longer an offense or a threat to the enemies of God.
Where is this persecution going to come from? Just as Jesus Himself was not persecuted by the more overt sinners, but by the religious community, who were His own brethren, the same has been the case for all who have sought to follow Him. A reason why one of the devil’s main titles is “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10) is because one of his main strategies has always been to get brethren accusing one another.
The devil seems to know even better than the church that unity increases spiritual authority. One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight (see Deuteronomy 32:30). Therefore, the highest priority of the devil is to create division in the church. If a church in a city ever came into true unity, the devil and his evil devices would all be quickly driven out of that city. If there is unity in a family, the devil will not find a place there. Therefore, it is in our best interest to not let things divide us from one another. Before we get into how we deal with persecution, let us first determine not to persecute our brethren, but always work toward their edification.
As we read in Ephesians 4:29-32 previously, what grieves the Holy Spirit is “bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice.” Now let us read those verses with the one that proceeds it.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:28-32).
If we do not do anything else this week but determine to control our words, by not letting anything come out of our mouths except that which is good for the edification of those who hear, we will likely be much closer to the kingdom and to the King, than we have been before. Let us resolve to do this one thing. The results will be extraordinary.
