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1160 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC, V6E 3H7
Pastor Karen Kepkay
How to Handle Verbal Stones and Remain Unshakable?
After a great awakening in my heart and decision to follow Christ, I experienced many unexpected reactions and comments from people around me. Just before accepting Christ, I was involved in a multilevel marketing business that encouraged members to “sell the business plan” and promote cosmetics and health products. I enjoyed the inspirational messages they’ve shared at their large training meetings, which always had a call to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour at the end – the business organization was led by Christian business leaders afterall. It was through these connections that Jesus led me to church, and opened my spiritual eyes to accept Him for who He was – the One who forgave, loves and completes me. Soon after, my desire to know Him intimately increased, and the desire for business waned. Through a difficult breakup and other circumstances, I desired to surrender it all to Jesus and decided to re-prioritize my life putting Him as first focus. I no longer wanted to do business, nor be distracted with worldly things, but to obey the Lord, pouring my time to serve in our local church – Coastal Church.
Some of the acquaintances through this business organization, seemingly believers, were shocked at my decision of quitting the business and began to persuade me to stay. I was more shocked however, when one of them personally approached me to say that I was using Jesus and Church as a crutch and that I was shying away from a freedom lifestyle.
On the family front, it was not easy either. Though I have distant relatives that know the Lord, there are many closer ones that don’t. When I decided to follow Christ wholeheartedly, their comments to me were of “you have gone crazy and been lured into a cult”; or “these people are brainwashing you”. Furthermore, when I took a stand to refuse to work illegally to receive income “under the table” while waiting for my resident permit, my relatives said I was being ridiculous.
Was I doing anything wrong to warrant all these comments? Absolutely not. Yet these verbal comments felt like verbal stones being thrown at me for being radical for Jesus. Understanding and comfort came when I was reminded that Jesús Himself said that if we belong to Him, chosen by Him, we should not be surprised that there will be persecution coming our way.
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. Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
John 15:19-21- (NIV)
So if persecution for our faith in Christ and truth-stance is to be expected as Jesus was also persecuted Himself, then how do we handle them keeping our faith unshakable with eternal perspective? How do we handle comments like “you are…. Judgemental, intolerant, ridiculous” come our way for living out the truth?
Prepare.
In the passage above, Jesus promises that persecution will happen because we follow Him. Though the Lord has come to give us life, He also reminds us that in this world we will have tribulations (John 16:33) but He has overcome the world. If we know that Jesus said himself that there will be persecution, then we can prepare for it. 2 Timothy 3:12 says“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. 1 Peter 4:12-13 says to not be surprised at the fiery trials as if something strange is happening to you but instead to be very glad because that makes us partners with Christ and we will have joy. The way to prepare and be ready for it would be to:
Know that we are wrestling an enemy, Satan, and not people. Ephesians 6:12 says that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood enemies but against evil. The enemy would want us to live our lives offended and hook your heart to unforgiveness. Instead, recognize that those “verbal stones” or attacks come by influence of the evil one.
Know that the people around youwill treat you this way because they do not know Jesus (John 15:21). There is a spiritual veil that is covering people’s eyes to see Christ, and the words they may say come because they do not know Jesus personally.
Know the Word. Grow deep roots of faith and stand strong in God’s word by knowing Him. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Add to your faith and be certain of who Jesus is, and who you are in Christ so that when persecution comes, you are not thrown off by it. Remember the promise Jesus gave us in His Word in Matthew 5:11-12 a promise of heavenly rewards“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven!”
Pray.
If your loved one, well-meaning people and the not-so-well meaning people challenge your faith and throw back hurtful comments, Our Lord would have us pray for them – Matthew 5:44 He says“love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” .As you pray for those who persecute you, the Lord will fill your heart with compassion towards people that are yet to know Him and we would be able to say as Jesus Himself said “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). As you take this posture of prayer, our Lord would be faithful to heal you from the hurtful comments and He will bless you and reward you in Heaven (Matthew 5:12). Pray intentionally for them to come know the Lord personally!
- Abide.
Earlier in John 15, Jesus asks the disciples to abide in Him as the source and as the vine before talking to them about persecution. Jesus knew that the only way we could withstand the tempest of persecution is to remain attached to Him. As we do we are strengthened with resilience, and our focus is on Him and not our circumstance. When we remain in His love, and His word, we will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for then we will understand that it is power to salvation not only for us but for those who persecute us (Romans 1:16). As we remain in Him and grow, we will be able to “Count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience (endurance) (James 1:2). It will help us grow in His likeness to love others. As we abide in Him, we receive strength from the Holy Spirit and power to love our enemies and be a witness for Jesus.
So next time you feel persecuted, or received a verbal stoning, instead of retaliating, becoming offended and biting into Satan’s trap- Know that the Lord works everything for His good (Romans 8:28) and let your faith be unshakable by abiding in His word. There is a great reward in Heaven as you live your life prepared, pray for others and through circumstances, and remain in Christ as your focus and source.