Leadership
Handling Harassment for Your Faith
One major reason people aren’t happy in our churches is because everyone’s trying too hard to be liked. But we’re never going to be liked by everyone. Jesus promises us that (Matthew 10:22).
Jesus was a realist and knew that there would be big consequences for following him. In the Beatitudes, he says: “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:10 NLT).
Jesus isn’t surprised when the outside world harasses Christians for their faith, but he does want us to handle it in a way that honors our relationship with him. Here are six biblical principles to follow when you are harassed for your faith.
- Recognize the source. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT). The person who is attacking you is simply a pawn. They don’t understand the devil is using them.
If you’re a parent, you likely understand the strategy. If someone can’t hurt you, they’ll go after your kids because they know it hurts you. Satan can’t get to God, so he is going after the next best thing—his children.
- Refuse to retaliate. “Never pay back evil with more evil … Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” (Romans 12:17,19 NLT). It’s natural to want to get even when people harass you. But when you choose to get even, you put yourself on the level of the person who attacked you. You’re acting no better than they are.
Remember, people in the Bible accused Jesus of being a drunk. Yet Jesus never retaliated.
- Respond positively. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21 NIV). When people put us down, we build them up. When people hassle us, we will be nice to them. We do not retaliate. The moment we retaliate, they are in control.
We can’t control many things that happen to us, but we can control our reactions. Love those who persecute you. Pray for their good. - Rejoice over it. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad …” (Matthew 5:11-12 NKJV) Jesus doesn’t say rejoice over the hurt. But if you live like Jesus, it’s inevitable that someone won’t like it.
Celebrate that people can see the Holy Spirit at work in your life. If we’re not harassed for our faith, we need to ask whether anyone can tell we have a relationship with Jesus.
- Remember the reward. “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven …” (Matthew 5:12 NKJV). Notice Jesus says the reward for our faithfulness isn’t just average or good; it is great. The Bible emphasizes special honors are reserved for those who endure persecution for their faith.
When we face persecution, we are in good company: “For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Most of the Apostles faced brutal deaths through crucifixion or torture because of their unwavering faith.
One way to store up treasures in heaven is by responding to harassment as Jesus would. It’s all about our attitude. When we choose to react with love, patience, and forgiveness, we reflect Christ’s character and accumulate eternal rewards. - Remain faithful. “Those who suffer because they follow God’s will should commit their lives to a trustworthy creator by doing what is right” (1 Peter 4:19 CEB). Don’t let the harassment of others stop you from doing what’s right. People can laugh at you for the rest of your life, but they can’t stop you unless you let them.
Be like the Apostle Paul. Nothing could stop him. In Acts 20, Paul announces God was leading him to go to Jerusalem despite the very real possibility people might kill him while he was there. Paul wouldn’t let the fear of persecution stop him. The Bible says in Acts 21 that people begged him not to go. But Paul says he was ready “to die for the Lord Jesus.”
Paul wouldn’t let the fear of death stop him from pursuing God’s will. Neither should we.
You will be harassed if you’re trying to live for Jesus in today’s world. Let no one laugh you out of living for Christ. Jesus never watered down commitment. He always told us there was a price for living for Christ. The gospel does not guarantee popularity here on earth. But the Bible does guarantee our reward for following Jesus.
