How To Handle Hostility
by J. W. Jepson, D.Min.
Copyright © 2007 by J. W. Jepson. All rights reserved, including the right to grant the following permission and to prohibit the misuse thereof: The Author hereby grants permission to reproduce the text of this article, without changes or alterations*, as a ministry, but not for commercial or non-ministry purposes. *Permission is given for publication of excerpts and condensed versions. first published in Liberty July/August 2006
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It has been said that if half the people in our society became genuinely converted to Jesus Christ, the other half would get fighting mad.
In view of what we have been experiencing, it takes fewer than half to alarm the defenders of the status quo. Even the perception that Evangelicals might become influential enough to threaten popular sins is enough to trigger an outpouring of the familiar code words: intolerance, discrimination, hate. In some cases Bible-believing Christians have been likened to Middle East terrorists. Devout Christians, once regarded as "God-fearing solid citizens," are now often maligned as a threat to "the American way." Christophobia is "in."
This hostility arises out of unbelief, ignorance, and fear. "The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him [Christ]" (1 John 3:1 NIV). People who have a living relationship with Jesus Christ are a mystery to unbelievers. They do not understand us because they do not know Jesus.
Also, the values and lifestyle of those who follow Christ are contrary to those who follow the desires of this age. Believers are not a quaint subculture; they are a dynamic counterculture that challenges the self-centered pre-suppositions of secular society.
How, then, should believers respond to the world's hostility? The answer involves diligent discipleship in attitude, aim, and actions.
Attitude.
We should not be surprised by hostility. Jesus told us it would happen and why. "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" (John 15:19 NIV).
Keep a bright, positive attitude. Stay full of the Holy Spirit. Resist all negative attitudes: defensiveness, self-pity, self-righteousness, hostility. Our attitude is reflected in our demeanor. Angry Christians are repulsive; the fruit of the Spirit makes us attractive.
Jesus said, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven" (Luke 6:22,23 NIV).
Rejoice? Leap for joy? That is not our natural reaction. But we can do it, especially in view of the reason Jesus gave us.
Jesus also said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11,12 NIV). Falsely is a key word here. Suffering for foolishness is not suffering for righteousness.
Aim.
If Satan cannot successfully attack our weaknesses, he will try to use our strengths against us. If he cannot defeat us, he will try to divert us. So where we direct our efforts is important. An arrow aimed in the wrong direction is useless.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. We are not fighting people; we are fighting for people.
This is essentially a spiritual warfare; so it is important to choose our battlefields wisely. Nevertheless, as citizens we do have civil rights and responsibilities. We can and must make a difference in society. Participate in the political process. Stay informed. Support right causes. Help enact wholesome laws. Vote for candidates who will uphold right principles. Speak out when evil insinuates itself into public life and policy.
In all of this it is important to maintain our Christian witness, behaving always in a Christ-like manner. If we adopt the world's methods of bringing about social change, we will be perceived as just another pressure group.
In all that we do we must stay focused on the world's greatest need and our primary mission and message.
Actions.
This includes our words. The apostle Peter said, "Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but with blessing" (1 Peter 3:9 NIV). Paul set a good example. "When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly" (1 Corinthians 4:12,13 NIV). To answer kindly means to appeal to reason. Present the facts, set the record straight, clear up misunderstandings, persuade kindly, conciliate.
When believers feel the sting of anti-Christian bias, it is easy to react in the same way. But Christians should never be the ones who charge the atmosphere, engage in sarcasm or make catty remarks. When we do, we encounter the world on its battlefield, use its weapons, and fight by its rules. We might win arguments that way, but we will not win people to Christ.
Believers must stand on biblical grounds, use biblical means, and follow biblical principles. Paul put it this way: "And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct . . ." (2 Timothy 2:24,25 NIV).
We do not have to conquer this age. Jesus Christ has already done that. He announced, "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
The world must not see in us a reflection of itself. Instead, we must show them Jesus. We do this by something they can neither fight nor outlaw--love.
For books and other resources by Dr. Jepson, please write to:
Life In Christ Center
3095 Cherry Heights Road
The Dalles, OR 97058
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www.christcenter.net
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