When They Speak Evil Of You

January 13

"For we spent enough of our past lifetime
in doing the will of the Gentiles,
when we walked in lewdness, lusts,
drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties,
and abominable idolatries.
In regard to these, they think it strange
that you do not run with them
in the same excess of dissipation,
speaking evil of you.
They will give an account to him
who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
1 Peter 4:3-5

Believers need to be ready to be rejected, hated, and called names for their stand. The world WILL hate you, as we are seriously warned:

“If you were of the world,
the world would love its own.
Yet because you are not of the world,
but I chose you out of the world,
THEREFORE the world hates you.”
John 15:19

Even family members:

“Father will be divided against son and son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Luke 12:53-55

Learn to recognize the source of that hatred when people offend or mistreat you. Why you? As the Lord himself told us, it’s BECAUSE you belong to HIS kingdom. The world lies in the kingdom of Satan who is called “the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), so it should be obvious that Satan uses people to come against you. Be encouraged, there is a huge reward for those persecuted because they belong to Christ (Matthew 5:11).

The rejection may come as a shock, but it shouldn't, because we have been forewarned. Persecution is coming to this land. Be prepared for it. Decide NOW whom you will serve. Make that commitment NOW, so that when it comes, you will be prepared.

"If you are reproached for the name of Christ,
blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."
1 Peter 4:14