Responding to Insults & Lies

"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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

We know this command applies to us today because the Great Commission says, "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." We are to be taught to obey, and we in turn are to teach to obey. The command here is to "rejoice and be glad."

My personal experience in contact with other Christians is probably wider than most Christians, but still limited. Keeping this in mind, I know very few Christians who count themselves blessed when they are insulted and falsely accused of evil because of their stand for Jesus Christ. I do know Christians who get angry and want to fight back.

Let us make decisions now that will determine right actions if and when this occurs.

Written July 1990.

This post coordinates with today's reading in the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.

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