Question 1

Whom or what is God against?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 1:5They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.Jonah 1:2“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”Malachi 3:5“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.Luke 6:46“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”John 3:36“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”Romans 1:18God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.Ephesians 5:6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.1 John 3:10So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.God condemns sin, wickedness, and evil because they are acts of open rebellion to his standards of goodness and holiness. He is against those who willfully reject who he is and are committed to evil and harming others.John 3:18There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.Hebrews 6:4-6It is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.Hebrews 10:26-27Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment.God condemns those who reject his Son. He is against those who claim to be Christ followers but are committed to ongoing sin and rebellion against his Lordship. This does not mean that God is against Christians who sin or even Christians who fall into a pattern of sin. The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) shows God’s radical love for his lost children. But ongoing, unrepentant decisions to reject Jesus and his commands will eventually put us against God, and, thus, he will be against us.Matthew 12:31-32“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.”Luke 12:10“Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”God condemns those who continue to reject his work through his Holy Spirit. Eventually he says, in effect, “Your will be done” and allows them to experience the ultimate consequence of their choice.

Question 2

What should I stand against?

Accepted Answer

2 Chronicles 19:9-10These were his instructions to them: “You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart. Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether a murder case or some other violation of God’s laws, commands, decrees, or regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the Lord, so that he will not be angry with you and them. Do this and you will not be guilty.”Proverbs 25:26If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.John 15:19-21“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.If we are truly loyal to God and his priorities and values, we should stand against sin in the world and in our lives.Proverbs 24:24-25A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them.Proverbs 31:8-9Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.Jeremiah 1:10“Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”2 Corinthians 13:8We cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.We are not only to do what is right, but we are to speak out against wrong and injustice. Often, we will suffer for doing this.

Question 3

How can we stand for a person, but be against their sin?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 1:27So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.Psalm 139:21-24O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.Matthew 5:43-44“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.1 John 3:4Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.God created human beings in his image; therefore, all human beings have value and worth and should be treated with dignity. This includes those who stand against us and God, and who we would consider enemies. We should love and pray for them. We are to be motivated by love as we stand against sin.Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”Jesus’ instructions about confronting sin come immediately after his parable of the lost sheep. He makes it clear that our goal in correcting sin should be to restore relationships and bless our brothers and sisters in Christ.Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.Our approach to correcting sin in others should start with gentleness.Jude 1:23Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.Sin is like a destructive fire, dangerous to the person who is sinning and to those around them. If someone is caught in the fire of sin, we should try to help that person escape—yet we must be careful not to be burned by temptation ourselves.Hebrews 3:13-15You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”We are to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of others as we warn one another daily against sin and its deception.Proverbs 13:24Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.Ephesians 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.Hebrews 12:6, 10-11“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” . . . For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.Parental discipline done well is a strong example of hating a sin but loving the sinner. Though discipline is unpleasant for both parent and child, it leads to the blessings of a godly life. Parents should regularly consider how well they are reflecting both discipline and love in their parenting.Galatians 2:11–14When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?”James 3:1Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.Teachers and leaders who go astray often drag others down with them. In such situations, public correction and repentance may be necessary. Paul corrected Peter publicly, calling out his hypocritical and divisive behavior. Peter accepted and learned from Paul’s correction, and in a later letter referred to Paul as “our beloved brother” (2 Peter 3:15).Matthew 18:15-17“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.”1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 5I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship. . . . you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.Titus 3:10If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.Continued unrepentant sin is a serious disease in the church. Left unchecked, it can spread. Jesus describes a step-by-step process for confronting sin, with increasing discipline after continued offenses. Though the goal is to win back a brother or sister, if that individual continues in their destructive patterns, excommunication may be the last hope of getting their attention and protecting the rest of the church.Leviticus 19:17-18“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”If a neighbor’s sin is frustrating us and we choose not to talk it over with them directly, we are not acting in love. Not only will we leave the person trapped in his or her pattern of sin, but we may open the door to sins of our own—bitterness, grudge-holding, and revenge-seeking. Gentle honesty is a wise expression of love.1 Corinthians 2:14People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.2 Timothy 2:25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.Titus 1:9He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.We are to encourage others with gentle, right teaching. And we should pray for the Holy Spirit to open people’s hearts.James 5:19-20My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.Our love for the sinner should be what most compels us to confront the sin!

Question 4

When I am against something or someone, how do I know my convictions are right?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.Daniel 6:10When Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.Acts 4:18-20So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.Hebrews 4:12The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.Our convictions should be based on the authority of God’s Word. A regular prayerful reading of Scripture will clarify for us what God thinks of our perspectives.Matthew 15:3Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?”Luke 22:19He [Jesus] took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”Acts 26:9-20“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene . . . One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon . . . a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me . . . I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness . . . Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.’”1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 23-26You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. . . . For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”Colossians 2:8Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.2 Thessalonians 2:15With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.In many ways, traditions can help to guide and strengthen our convictions. Some traditions, such as the Lord’s Supper, are grounded in Scripture itself. For centuries, Christians have reminded one another of Christ and his sacrifice through this God-ordained tradition. Other traditions, such as singing specific songs in worship, may not be commanded in Scripture and essential for spiritual health, yet singing can still be a powerful and beautiful way of remembering the truths of our faith. When spiritual fads and false teachings sweep the church, traditions can remind us of the truth. But traditions alone are not a solid ground for convictions. The Pharisees built elaborate traditions around the Old Testament Scriptures that eventually obscured the very truths they were claiming to protect. Ultimately, all traditions must be held accountable to the truth of God’s Word. Peter, Paul, and the other Jewish believers were able to adjust their convictions about traditions to align with God’s way as they listened to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We must be willing to do the same.Isaiah 37:24-25By your messengers you have defied the Lord. You have said, “With my many chariots I have conquered the highest mountains— yes, the remotest peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars and its finest cypress trees. I have reached its farthest heights and explored its deepest forests. I have dug wells in many foreign lands and refreshed myself with their water. With the sole of my foot, I stopped up all the rivers of Egypt!”Philippians 2:3-4Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.James 4:6, 10He [God] gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.Pride and arrogance can be a sign that we are against the Lord, not for him.Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.Proverbs 19:20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.Proverbs 20:5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.1 Corinthians 11:1You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.Godly advisors and mentors can help us recognize blind spots in our lives and our reasoning. They can also be a source of encouragement if we are on the right track. But we must be discerning in our choice of advisors (1 Kings 12:1-19).Psalm 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Proverbs 21:2People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.Matthew 7:7-8“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”James 1:5-6If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.We can always turn to God with a humble confidence, asking him to reveal any sin or deception lurking in our minds and hearts.John 10:4, 14“After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. . . . I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.As we allow God to work in our minds and hearts and continue to seek his will, we will grow more accustomed to recognizing his voice.1 Chronicles 27:24Joab son of Zeruiah began the census but never finished it because the anger of God fell on Israel. The total number was never recorded in King David’s official records.If we can clearly see that what we are doing is against God’s will, then we should leave it unfinished.

Question 5

How can I stand against my greatest enemy, Satan?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 11:32He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.We can stand against the temptations of Satan by staying close to God. We should seek a living relationship with God so we can be strong enough to resist the evil one.Matthew 12:30“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”Remaining neutral is not possible in spiritual warfare. We must decisively choose to stand on God’s side.Luke 11:23-26“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”To stand against Satan, cleaning house spiritually is not enough. Our lives, emptied of evil, must be filled with God. Otherwise, we will be defenseless against greater evil.Ephesians 6:10-18Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.Our strength and power against evil depends on God’s power within us. We cannot fight Satan alone. We must use the armor God has given us. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, confidence in the gospel and our salvation, persistence in prayer, and the study of God’s Word are the characteristics God grows in us so we can stand firm against Satan.James 4:7-10Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you . . . Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.We can resist Satan by humbly depending on God and drawing closer to him. He will position and strengthen us to resist Satan, who wants to feed our pride.Psalm 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.Matthew 4:4, 7, 10Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” . . . Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” . . . “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”The Bible is the word of God and therefore, a very effective tool against Satan. We can stand against Satan by bolstering our courage with Scriptures and quoting them to him.John 14:26“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”Acts 1:8“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Romans 8:26The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.1 John 4:4You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.We can stand against Satan because God’s power is greater than his. The Holy Spirit will guide, equip, and empower us in following God’s will as we rely on him.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.1 Corinthians 10:13The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.We can trust God’s faithfulness and follow his leading.John 12:31“The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.”John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Hebrews 12:1-3Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.1 Peter 5:8-9Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.To stand against Satan, we must be careful, attentive, shrewd, firm and strong in faith. Jesus has already conquered sin and death, and Satan has already lost the war. Though we may face many battles yet, we can take courage from the example of Christ and all who follow him.

Question 6

What causes people to turn against me?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 35:11Malicious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.Psalm 37:12The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance.Psalm 38:19-20I have many aggressive enemies; they hate me without reason. They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good.Psalm 109:3They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason.Psalm 140:2, 4Those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long . . . O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked. Protect me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me.Proverbs 24:2Their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.Acts 14:2, 5Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas . . . Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them.Evil influences can stir up people against us, often unjustly, in the form of accusations and even persecution.John 15:18-19“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”John 17:14“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.”1 Peter 4:14-19If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.Following Jesus may cause some to hate us. Those who love sin hate those who are against sin. If we take a stand against sin, we can expect opposition.Romans 12:21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.1 Peter 2:20Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.1 Peter 4:15If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.Scripture calls us to recognize that not all anti-Christian sentiments are unjustified. Sometimes, people turn against Christians out of frustration with their un-Christlike attitudes and actions. Sometimes people who claim to follow Christ don’t prove it by the way they live. They expect unbelievers to act a certain way, but then they don’t act that way either. As representatives of Jesus, we must take care to live out the gospel humbly and in love (Matthew 5:16; 22:37-40; John 13:35,). If we don’t, we are giving unbelievers good reason to distrust the claims of Jesus.Exodus 14:11They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?”Exodus 15:24Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded.Numbers 20:2There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron.Leaders are vulnerable to their followers turning against them. Leaders often get blamed when anything goes wrong, even if they were not at fault for the circumstances or outcomes.Genesis 37:4, 11His brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him . . . But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.Jealousy can cause others to turn against us.Acts 6:9-11One day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.”These men turned against Stephen because his wisdom, which came from God, clearly made more sense than their arguments. When we speak with divine wisdom, some people won’t want to hear it. In such cases, they are likely to turn against us because they are against God’s ways.Acts 16:19-24Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.” A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.When others feel threatened, they may turn against us.

Question 7

How should I respond when others are against me?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 25:15My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.Psalm 31:20You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.Psalm 35:21-24They shout, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!” O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord. Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.Psalm 43:1Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars.Psalm 59:1-2Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers.Psalm 140:1-2O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.We should go to God first. He is always listening and can offer wisdom and protection in our time of need.Psalm 119:23, 78, 98Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees . . . Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments . . . Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.We should focus on God’s Word and allow him to guide us.Acts 5:26-29The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”We should obey God, regardless of pressure from any other source. He should be our highest allegiance.Psalm 27:11Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.Philippians 2:14-15Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.James 4:11Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.1 Peter 2:12, 15Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world . . . It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.1 Peter 3:15-16If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.We should commit to live God’s way. This is not only a silent defense against false accusers, but it is also a powerful witness of God’s goodness.Psalm 55:12-14It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.We often will experience hurt feelings, sadness, and even depression when others turn against us, especially when close relationships are involved. But we shouldn’t allow those feelings to deter us from living God’s way.Psalm 3:5-6I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.Psalm 27:1-3The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.Isaiah 51:12“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?”Jeremiah 51:53“Though Babylon reaches as high as the heavens and makes her fortifications incredibly strong, I will still send enemies to plunder her. I, the Lord, have spoken!”Romans 8:31What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?When we are opposed by enemies, focusing on God will keep our enemies’ power in perspective, and this will allow us to approach life with peace instead of fear.Joshua 1:9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.1 Thessalonians 2:2You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition.We can respond to opposition with strength and courage from God.Proverbs 25:15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.We can respond with patience and gentleness when others are against us.Matthew 5:43-44“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Romans 12:14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.1 Corinthians 15:9I [Paul] am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.Ephesians 6:12We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.We can pray for those who are against us. Our true enemy is Satan, and our earthly enemies are pawns in his destructive game. Paul was once a leading persecutor of Christianity, yet God freed him from Satan’s lies and used him for great good.Luke 12:11-12“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”As we face false accusations for following Jesus, we can release our anxieties about our defense. We can trust God to give us direction regarding what to say, as we listen to his Holy Spirit.Proverbs 26:4Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.Proverbs 29:11Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.1 Timothy 6:20Guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.Titus 3:9Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.Sometimes the best response to opposition is to remain silent and not engage verbally in the conflict.Matthew 5:11“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”We can anticipate God’s blessing when others are against us because we follow him.Leviticus 19:18“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”Romans 12:17, 19-21Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable . . . Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.When others oppose us, for whatever reason, we should not seek revenge.Matthew 5:23-24“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”Romans 12:18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.Regardless of the opposition, we are to pursue peace.

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