As I sit down to type this blog (and the accompanying script for the AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast), I am aware that this has been a busy and noisy fall. I am speaking in terms of “newsworthy” items. Headlines that have grabbed our attention. Names and storylines which have surfaced to the front of our minds. And in much of that, I have seen a common thread throughout the stories: there has been a growing hatred that has even turned into violence. This violence is especially directed towards Christians: Bible-believing men and women who have taken a stand for truth and the belief that God’s word is inerrant and for today.
My method of releasing new content these days has shifted to where I cannot respond to most individual news events. I don’t feel the need to nor do I have the capacity to respond to most things. Sometimes what I say is left for social media but even there I must be cautious (don’t over-post Derek!). That being said, I do feel an overall need to address what I see happening and what seems to be a growing antagonism towards believers: we are hated for the name of Christ. We are being targeted for the name of Jesus.
None of this should surprise us as we move towards the last days. We know many will fall away. We know that a beast system (what we see in Revelation) does not occur until many have seen and heard and accepted the lies of the Antichrist. And slowly and steadily (even some days rapidly), we are moving towards that time in our world. It’s undeniable.
Despite what I’ve said so far, today is not meant to be doom and gloom. It is meant to give you some points to ponder and hopefully some tools in your tool belt (action steps) to use as you deal with circumstances you face. Moments in which you are not welcome due to your faith. I’ll admit, I live in Tennessee and my home is in an area known as the “Bible Belt.” Yet I see a turning away or even a “false gospel” that appears to be faith-based but it is not. I know many of you live in areas where your faith is challenged on a daily basis. You feel the oppression. And I see the hate online through various platforms…the comments section on any given post be it Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc. is often not a friendly place for your views. All of this marks a change from what we saw even 20-25 years ago.
So how do we deal with this? As always, I have a few rapid-fire points to share. Let’s dive in!
1. We acknowledge that we are going to be hated for the name of Jesus
I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
I love that Jesus never sugar-coated what was to come. We’re the ones that do that. “We live in America. This is a place founded on Christian values and principles. I shouldn’t face persecution because everyone here is basically good and in general, people have some sort of moral compass.” Nope. For one, I don’t believe that sort of environment ever existed in America (or anywhere). And secondly, apart from Christ there are none righteous. So we have to accept that we will face hate. It shouldn’t surprise nor should it sideline us. The enemy wants us to shrink back the moment we face opposition and he uses fear as a powerful motivator. You might lose your job or livelihood, a relationship, your status, and so on. Even further, our own lives might be the cost for obeying Christ. But the promise remains: Take heart, I have overcome the world. There is nothing we face that is too big for Jesus. And nothing can take away the eternal reward He has for those who trust Him.
2. Sometimes no response is the best response
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Proverbs 26:4
I have found that especially online, it is good not to engage, post, comment, and so on whenever the circumstance leads to getting backed into a corner; theologically-speaking. I’ve been there in the “pile-on” moments. Moments where you leave a comment or try to insert a thought that comes from a Biblical worldview and you soon find out it is not welcome. Man oh man. I can control some things from my own pages and my personal accounts (and I have had to block people and remove comments). But I’m finding more and more, the need to respond must be held back especially in situations where the hate is strong and you won’t influence anyone’s minds. REALITY CHECK: this is much of the space right now on certain platforms. Beyond that, in our face-to-face interactions we need to pick our battles strategically. The hate is real. The violence is real. Sometimes a genuine response is simply not responding at all. It reveals the hate for what it is. It allows others to see just how demonic (yes I’ll use that word), the opposition to truth has become. So…learn to hold your tongue (and your fingers on the keyboard).
3. Continue to speak the truth in love
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him Who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:15
One reason we have the current climate we have, is we’ve neglected a balance of truth and love. With only love, we end up with a gospel of cheap grace. With only truth, we trend towards legalism. Somewhere in the middle is a message that says “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus loves the sinner. There are no conditions to come to Him, just as we are. But as we follow Him, we lay aside our own desires, short-comings, and failures. Speaking truth over people is not hate-speech. But the enemy has twisted the truth so much that it sounds like hate to this world. The “love” this culture speaks of means “loving me as I am…I don’t have to change.” But that is not real love and by not speaking a balance of truth, it only condemns them to hell. This must be tailor-made to any situation we find ourselves in. We must convey the Gospel in such a way that it is inviting (i.e. not condemning) while at the same time, based upon the entirety of Scripture. Praise God that He gives much grace in this endeavor.
4. Pray for your enemies
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
Praying for our enemies and persecutors is something that does not come to me naturally. When I see someone’s hateful words online about Christians or experience a personal rejection, my first thought is not “I should pray for him or her.” But I need to allow the Holy Spirit to stir that response vs. the emotional one that I’m tempted to follow. When we consider that Jesus forgave (“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34) and that the first martyr Stephen did as well (“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60), we realize they were after the soul of the individual. The real battle is not against flesh and blood. It is against the evil forces and principalities at work which stir up the hatred in many. We pray for our persecutors. We ask that the Lord would intervene in their hearts and turn them from their wicked ways. Sometimes all we can do is pray. But that is enough.
5. Let Godly wisdom guide your interactions
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Proverbs 4:7
For further reading, Proverbs 4 is a masterclass on gaining wisdom and insight. I believe that this concluding point is where we must land: seek wisdom and let God guide you in any and all interactions. Sometimes it is best to hold your words. Other times you need to speak out. Let the Holy Spirit give you discernment into what is appropriate in each circumstance. We have to realize our initial reaction can often be wrong (and may lead to more pain and hurt if not tempered). When we call upon wisdom, I believe we will find it in the moment. The words will come and the action steps to take will be there. Even when feeling outnumbered and oppressed in a given situation, the Lord is with us. He’s using those moments to speak…sometimes an enemy combatant defects to the Kingdom because of our witness (through the Holy Spirit).
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom is a book I have made mention of on my blog and even recorded a couple podcast episodes about it last year. I reread that book every so often as I find it to be a great help in times like we’re in now. In a strange way, it’s comforting to know other periods of persecution have existed in our world; even as recent as the 1930s and 40s under the regime of Nazi Germany. If you haven’t read The Hiding Place, I’ll just say it is a remarkable true story of how a Christian can hold onto their faith despite extraordinary persecution and oppression. Corrie’s life reminds me that yes, it is possible to stay a Christian when the walls of culture are closing in. And not only is it possible, you will see God show up in unexpected ways all throughout the journey. I’ll put the plug in again: read a book like The Hiding Place. Tortured For Christ by Richard Wurmbrand is another such story. These resources will give some perspective and encourage your own faith to go deeper.
Guys I don’t know what we’ll face in the coming months and years. I’ve spent a lot of time lately discussing the need to share our faith and you’ll see that as you look at recent blogs and podcasts I’ve posted this fall. At the same time, the enemy will not take any of this lying down. He knows God is stirring hearts. He knows the Lord is at work all across the earth. And he knows his time is short. So we have to expect hate to come from various angles…maybe even places we did not expect or from people we thought were “on our side.” Stand strong. Don’t be disheartened by what you see or hear but continue to look only to Jesus. He will bring us through. We know how the story ends.
Sign up to get these blogs delivered to your email inbox! Visit http://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions
Let’s connect:
Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekcharlesjohnson1/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/derekcharlesjohnson
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Check out this video: