Privileged Resistance

Christians cannot be like Christ unless they receive some resistance. Believers cannot be blessed unless they are badmouthed. It is one of our #privileges to have others slander us for our #privileges, which is, of course, meant by them for evil but is used by God for good.

Jesus taught it as true. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:11).

Paul explained it as a gift. “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).

Peter saw it as proof of God’s presence in our lives. “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).

Honorable conduct, with visible good works, will be spoken of by some “against you as evildoers,” but will be part of their accountability at the right time (1 Peter 2:12).

So two things. First, learn to identify the resistance as God’s blessing. Make others exaggerate, make them lie, make them make stuff up, and when they do, you are blessed so “rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:12). Second, make sure that they have to make it up. Don’t do evil or be a hypocrite and give them material to work with (1 Peter 4:15). Be honest, confess your sins, do righteousness, and then let them say whatever they want.