April 28, 2009 by Stacy McDonald
When Reviled…
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, for great is your reward in heaven… (Matthew 5:11-12)
“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts… (1 Peter 3:14-15)
When Jesus is the Lord of your heart, you will be more concerned about what God thinks of you than what any man thinks. It is God we should fear! If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us! If God knows the truth about us, it doesn’t matter what any man thinks. And when our eyes are locked in the gaze of our precious Savior, we won’t care who assails us. Their insults will fall like broken arrows at our feet.
When they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)
The important thing to remember in the midst of it all is to respond biblically. I often tell my children that if someone sins against them it is still their responsibility to respond in a Christ-like way. If you respond sinfully, not only are there now two people sinning against God instead of one, but those watching may join in the fight, which brings more dishonor on the name of Christ.
Don’t return evil for evil or reviling for reviling. Respond with gentleness and courtesy; answer in a way that testifies of God’s Grace in you, so that those around you might also glorify God (1 Peter 3:8)!
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
My husband posted a great reminder of our true mission as Christians. A Step Toward Winning the Battle: Loving Each Other Amid Differenced
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10 Responses to “When Reviled…”
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Amen. Good post!
This is so, so true and such a great reminder!!! I sooooooo enjoyed you and your husband at our home school conference this past weekend! It is amazing how God supplied just the message(s) I needed to hear through you and your husband. Thank you!! May the Lord bless you and your family!!
Christy
Thank you, Stacy. That’s just what I needed to hear right now. Doing the right thing, especially if it’s unpopular, can be incredibly difficult and sometimes lonely. But we have one who will never leave us, and as you said, our reward with Him is great.
Peace to you.
Stacy- It is even harder when it is a family member that is causing the pain, gossip, persecution, and planting ungodly seeds in your children. What do you do in these kind of situations?
Your Sister in Christ
Angie
What a great post, Mrs.McDonald! :)
Thank you for the convicting, encouraging
and thought provoking thoughts!!!
Many Blessings~ Miss Jen
You wrote: “If God knows the truth about us, it doesn’t matter what any man thinks.”
This is something that the Lord has been making so very clear to me these last few weeks. His opinion is the only one that matters. We may *want* other’s approval but we do not *need* it. His approval is enough… and all we should strive for.
I’m afraid I am a bit of a slow learner, though?
Yes, we need to be willing to stand up for what is right, even if it means being persecuted. And then, rejoice, like you said.
“Doing the right thing, especially if it’s unpopular, can be incredibly difficult and sometimes lonely.”
Tell me about it.
Hi Angie,
I feel for you. I know it can be that much more painful when a family member or someone you love is the one causing you pain.
But the answer is still the same. Turn to Jesus. Respond in love, but be firm. You do not have to be controlled by such people, and you must stand up for the truth; but, by God’s Grace you can do it with gentleness and love. And that’s the hard part, because our flesh screams for immediate justice.
There may come a time when you have to back out of certain situations for the sake of your children, or even your own emotional health, but you can still do so graciously and in love (regardless of the response). Remember, the primary goal is to glorify God, even when others are sinning against us.
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21, KJV)
I am richly, amazingly blessed and glowing in God's sweet aura