In part 1 of this Bible study, we discussed self-examination as the first step to responding to what we may perceive as persecution. It is absolutely essential to take this step because much of what we see as suffering at the hands of others is actually self-inflicted due to living contrary to the word of God. In this part of our Bible study, we will focus on persecution.  

Question: How should a Christian respond to persecution?  

First, let us define what persecution is. To persecute means to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.  

Note that persecution is not limited to religious beliefs. This is why the self-examination step is critical. A Christian must be able to identify whether he is being harassed or oppressed for some reason other than religious beliefs. Once you can identify that your Christian beliefs and character is the justification for treating you with malice, you must respond to this persecution the way God would have you to respond. Be careful not to take actions that are justified by ideologies inconsistent with your Bible.  

What Did Jesus Say? 

It should be unnecessary to reiterate the next point, but reminders are the best way to reinforce an idea. A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. A Christian does not prioritize the philosophies of Thomas Jefferson, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, William Lane Craig, John Calvin, and any other great thinker you come up with. The purpose of previous statement is to focus your attention on Jesus. When the teachings of one of your “heroes” is contrary to what Jesus taught, then you should reject that teaching and live by what Jesus has said.  

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:10-12)  

Again, self-examination is of the utmost importance when trying to determine your response to persecution. Are you being persecuted for righteousness’ sake? This is an issue of character! Righteousness is a term that applies to someone’s character. Is your character righteous in the eyes of God the Father? If so, then Jesus says you are extremely fortunate or well off. Be sure to look at the definition of blessed in a concordance to confirm this point.  

Reread verse 11 and 12!!! Are you suffering persecution due to righteous character that is rooted in following the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, your response should be to rejoice because persecution is proof that you are blessed! We must learn to rejoice when we are persecuted for Jesus’ sake and acknowledge that we have a reward in heaven that will be given to us at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 22:12).  

Notice how the apostles responded to being physically beat for being a Christian in Acts 5:17-42. Verse 41 reads, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” This is what they did after being beat. They rejoiced!!! Notice that they did not call a good lawyer, appeal to a higher court, organize a protest, or organize a revolution. Their actions were consistent with what Jesus taught them. Also notice that verse 42 says, “they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” The beating they received at the hands of their persecutors did not stop them from living as they were instructed!!! 

Ignored By Most 

The next set of verses we will discuss is a part of the same sermon. The topic of persecution is so important that Jesus mentions it three times in the Sermon on the Mount.  

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: ³⁹ but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.” (Matt. 5:38-40) 

The context of this portion of Jesus’ teaching is persecution and revenge. Jesus taught His disciples that it is not their place to pursue vengeance against someone who is trying to do harm to them. Many ignore this teaching because of the ideology of self-defense. What they ignore is that the underlying theme of this sermon is godly character. Jesus says if you want to be righteous, this is the way you must conduct yourself.  

The reason why people want to ignore this teaching is it goes against human nature. How many of us would let someone attack us and not attack back? How many of us would give more than we are sued for? Indeed, self-defense is natural to humans, but God has called us to live contrary to human nature. This is what the apostles did when they accepted their beating at the hands of the council. They resisted human nature even though they were harmed unjustly. We all must learn how to live this way.  

Sidenote: It is important to mention that what Jesus did not say in these verses. Notice that He did not say if any man was trying to kill you. On several occasions, the Pharisees and scribes tried to murder Jesus, but He was able to escape. Despite this fact, He did not flee when He was to be crucified. We all must learn to use discernment when dealing with persecution. We also have to relinquish the idea that martyrdom is not required of us. Most of the prophets and apostles were martyred for God’s sake so why would we be exempt?!?! If we are close to God, He will show us what His purpose is for our lives. Also read Luke 17:33. The principles of this verse apply to every Christian. Study it prayerfully!!! 

We must learn to put our lives in the hands of our Father in heaven. Vengeance is the Lord’s; therefore, it is not our prerogative to execute justice in this world. Do a word study on vengeance in the Bible. You’ll find that God alone is responsible for vengeance. It is our duty to speak the truth of God, but the consequences of living a godly life is in the purview of God!!! 

Flee Ye into Another  

Many Christians have lost the understanding that the followers of Jesus are disciples. This means that everything He directly taught His disciples applies to all disciples in the future. Read Matt. 10:16-28. Notice that Jesus did not say protest, petition the government, run for political office, organize a voting bloc, and other things that unbelievers do to force their way of living on others!!! He said if they persecute you in one place, flee to the next. How many Christian practice this principle? Read Acts 8:1. Notice how they were scattered because of persecution arising. This followed the assassination of Stephen. They did not organize themselves into armed groups for self-defense.  

Take the time to reread what Jesus said while He was on trial before Pilate in John 18:35-36. Do not assume that Jesus said this just because He was a willing sacrifice on our behalf. If God wanted us to defend ourselves from persecution, He would have made this clear. Instead, He said His servants would stand up and fight if His kingdom was of this world. Now notice the following verses: 

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:18-20) 

Jesus Christ’s followers are not of this world just like the kingdom is not of this world. In this conversation, Jesus had a perfect opportunity to declare to His servants that they must fight against and resist persecution for His name’s sake. Instead, He emphatically declares that His servants will suffer persecution in this world because the world hates Jesus. On several occasions, Jesus fled to finish the work our Father gave Him (John 7:1; John 8:59; John 10:31, 39). 

The job of Christians is to teach the world all the commands that Jesus taught (Matt. 28:18-20). Our job is not to defend our lives; that is God’s job. This is why Jesus says, “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell,” in same conversation about fleeing into another city if persecution comes (Matt. 10:28).  

“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”  (Matt. 10:23)

Jesus said that His disciples will not have gone over all the cities of Israel before He returns. This means Jesus expected His disciples to continue this work until He comes. Jesus even gives the parable of the talents about His servants continuing to do business while He is gone. He tells His servants to, “Occupy til l come.” (Luke 19:13) If you are a Christian, then your job is to continue the work God has given you despite any persecution that may come as a result. If necessary, you should flee or move on to another location. We must seek God to know how He wants us to handle any given situation. If He tells you to flee, then be prepared to flee, but know that you cannot run from every obstacle. This is just one way of dealing with persecution. Let’s look further into how Jesus instructs us on this matter. 

Sidenote #2: Before moving into the next subtitle, I feel compelled to make one more point about fleeing persecution when necessary. Many Christians never meditate on the fact that there is a long history of martyrdom in the church of God. Some have been allowed to flee to safety and others have had to give up their lives. Ultimately, God the Father determines whom He will ask to make this tremendous sacrifice for His work’s sake. Sadly, fear of possibly making this sacrifice has made many walk away from the truth. THERE IS A GREAT PERSECUTION COMING IN THE FUTURE according to Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:15-22). Jesus says this is a time to flee but settle in your heart that God the Father will decide whom He will call to give up his life for righteousness’ sake. Be comforted by these words: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:10) 

 Bless and Pray For 

As I have discussed in plenty of Bible studies, God is executing a character-building operation. He wants His children to live a very specific way. The way He wants us to live is the same way He lives. This includes how we deal with those who attack us unjustifiably. Read the following verses carefully: 

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵ that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? ⁴⁷ And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? ⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  (Matt. 5:43-48) 

Yes, God is perfect, but do you accept that He wants you to be perfect as well? This is not a light thing! The unbelieving world curses God at every opportunity, yet God still provides them with sunlight and rain in due season! God is not a hypocrite. He is not asking you to behave in a way inconsistent with the way He lives. He loves and provides for His entire creation even though they do not acknowledge Him in their ways. 

Are you learning to love your enemies? Do you pray for people who despitefully use you and persecute you? This is what makes you a child of the Father alongside having the spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:14-15). This is one of many ways the followers of Jesus Christ are to be different from the world. The world hates those who hate them. They do not pray for those that use or mistreat them, but you are to be different. You are to pray for your persecutors just as Stephen did in Acts 7:59-60. Stephen was in the middle of being murdered, yet he prayed for those casting stones at him!!! This is what Jesus taught them to do and we must do the same if we are to be children of the Father.  

Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ did the very same thing before Stephen did (Luke 23:34). Remember, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Neither Jesus nor the Father will ask you to do something They have not done or will do!!! If you want to be more like the Father, you must learn to pray for those who are persecuting you despite any emotional dispositions you may have. Jesus tells us to bless them, do good to them, and pray for them. Do you do this? If not, you better start today!!! 

This way of being was passed down by the apostles of Jesus Christ. Let’s look further into these teachings about handling persecution.  

Evil for Evil  

Persecution is a serious issue that must be discussed more amongst Christians. The letters of the apostles are filled with statements referring to persecution because they wanted the disciples of Jesus to know how to navigate in a world that would be hostile to their way of living. Please diligently study this matter independently of this Bible study!  

Nowhere in your Bible will you find Jesus or the disciples telling others to take up arms and fight back. What they did tell us was to stay steadfast in faith even in the face of persecution. Additionally, many misapply the concept of defense of the faith. When Jude says to earnestly contend for the faith, he was referring to defending the true doctrine that was passed down from Jesus Christ (Jude 3-4) not defending your physical life.  

The essence of true Christian living is doing what is right in sight of God despite the laws of men. For example, just because there is a law or policy against praying in public schools, it does not mean you have to follow it. If you recognize a need to pray at that moment, it is lawful in the eyes of God to do so. (Remember the prophet Daniel’s example) Know that taking this action will bring persecution from those who do not like it. The response to persecution is not to get a lawyer and start a lawsuit. The response is to try to overcome the evil against you with good. Read the following carefully: 

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:17-21) 

Is Paul using poetic language that is not literal? NO! Yet many professing Christian ignore these plain verses. Vengeance belongs to God!!! He will decide how to avenge His saints, but our role as followers of Jesus Christ is to stand firm in the faith.  Also know that God already has a plan to avenge the saints outlined in the book of Revelation. (Rev. 16; Rev. 18:20-21; Rev. 19:1-2)

For reiteration, read Acts 5:14-42 again. In this account, the apostles were jailed and beaten for preaching the teachings of Jesus. Verse 41 and 42 show the apostles response to this persecution.  

“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” 

Notice that the apostles did not organize a protest, acquire weapons, launch a lawsuit, or take any action to get back at the council. Their response was to continue to do what they were commanded to do. They boldly continued to preach the message of the Lord Jesus Christ even in the temple. They rejoiced in the fact that they were suffering for the name of Jesus. What a remarkable attitude!!! We must try to have the same attitude when experiencing persecution for our Christian beliefs. Any other attitude may lead to falling away from the truth.  

Be sure to read the interpretation of the sower and the seed parable in Matt. 13:18-23. In this parable, Jesus describes those who receive the word on stony ground. They are described as receiving the truth with joy but they eventually fall away due to tribulation and persecution (verses 20-21). This is a warning to all of us!!! If the word of God is not rooted in us deeply, we will not endure when persecution comes! 

In order for the word of God to be rooted in us, we must continually pray, study, and fast as the prophets and apostles have said and done. If we do this, then we will be able to apply the teaching of I Peter 4:16-19. Read verse 19 several times. Peter is teaching us that the preservation of our lives should be entrusted to God the Father when suffering persecution. It is not our prerogative to preserve our physical lives by any means when encountering persecution. Read Matt. 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; and John 12:25 for confirmation of this point. If you set your heart to save your physical life, you will lose eternal life. Why? Because you will compromise the truth to stay alive!!! To be clear, one way of dealing with persecution is to flee; however, you must be prepared to die if God does not provide a route to escape.  

Sidenote #3: Please understand that seeking to save your life can lead to denying the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Peter did when he denied Jesus three times. Though it was prophesied and allowed so that Peter could become the leader he was called to be, we must remember that Jesus warns us against denying Him before men (Matt. 10:32-33).  

Rev. 12:11 tells us that the saints, “overcame him[satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Do you love your life more the truth that Jesus preached? Do you love your life more than Jesus? These are hard questions we must ask ourselves.  

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26) 

The disciples of Jesus place more value on of the Lord Jesus and His teachings than their own lives!!! His disciples are prepared to lose their lives to uphold His name and His word. These things were not written for us to gloss over. They were written for us to understand the level of commitment it takes to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus warned the early disciples that they would suffer persecution and prepared them to deal with it. Likewise, the early disciples warned us of persecution through their writings which have been preserved for us.  

Settle in your heart that persecution will come, especially in the last days. Be prepared to use the tools Jesus told you to use when facing persecution rather than yielding to the carnal ideas!!!

The Father did not promise that our lives would be easy, yet He has promised eternal life if we patiently endure in the faith!!! Pray for the strength to endure!