How should I respond when others are against me? - Against - TouchPoints

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.