7 Things Christians Get Wrong About Persecution

In any democratic society, where people are free to share their opinions without fear of repercussions, it is perfectly reasonable for someone to say, “I don’t believe in your God.” In fact, it is alright for that person to say, “Please stop talking to me about God.”

We need to be sensitive to what people are saying to us. People reject our “religious” talk for all kinds of reasons. Maybe a bad experience at church was a turn-off. Perhaps they were Christians at one time and now are feeling conflicted. Maybe they told you to knock it off, but you persist. It might just be a matter of disinterest and annoyance, and telling you so does not mean you are being persecuted. But expect to experience rejection, for you are “a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.” (1 Peter 2:4)

Now, if someone talks about his or her beliefs but shuts you down when you talk about yours, this is potentially gaslighting. Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation, and that could be an example of emotional persecution.

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We can expect non-Christians to blaspheme, watch shows, and read books full of content you cannot bear. They may talk about lifestyle choices you find sad and even sickening: doing drugs, promiscuity, tax fraud, reading Tarot cards, shoplifting, etc.

Although it may feel like a purposeful attempt to upset you, it's totally normal in the world. If a co-worker uses God’s name in vain and ignorance, a gentle “please don’t use the name of Jesus Christ in that way—it hurts me” can go a long way, especially when you say it reasonably to a reasonable person.

Such topics and language can be meant to get a rise out of you, but if you think you are piqued for the sake of Christ, realize that no one will steal any of his glory. Nor will a sanitized kind of life and speech ensure anyone’s salvation. You might have to change your perspective and regard this kind of behavior as a cry for the Good News, so share it. Meanwhile, remember that “Our Lord was slandered and falsely accused of all kinds of offenses, but He opened not His mouth in protest,” wrote R.C. Sproul. Then later, from the cross, he cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

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The majority of Americans are not Christian (that is, not believing in Christ alone for salvation and not trusting Scripture as God’s Word), so we are going to disagree with a lot of our neighbors and co-workers. There are many other religions in the world, not to mention godless philosophies that dismiss any spiritual realm entirely.

When we say something about Jesus and people do not believe, by all means, start a conversation. Invite discussion. But be prepared. An unenlightened mind cannot be changed. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:17-18 about Gentiles and the “futility of their minds” (speaking of non-Jews who had NOT embraced Christ as Savior), that “they are darkened in their understanding.” How can they know Christ as Savior when their hearts and minds are still dark?

We can pursue, debate, and urge, but we do not want to fight people. Sproul wrote that “the key to responding to attacks and insults as Christ would is to nurture love for God.” Jesus’ teaching was frequently rejected, but he did not cry out from the cross, “God, why do they keep rejecting me?” He knew why; he was persecuted, tortured, and died for our sins.

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The phrase, “This is the hill I am prepared to die on,” is a common one. It means a person is willing to endure ridicule, prison, or threats for the sake of a cause. Being reviled for preaching the gospel or for shouting about a side issue Jesus did not emphasize is not the same as being persecuted for the sake of Christianity. For instance, getting into fights with people about whether we will be raptured pre or post-tribulation, getting hot and bothered about whether the Sabbath falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, or arguing over whether or not to eat pork and then suffering the cold shoulder because of your belligerence. 

Two people who believe in the same God can each reach their own conclusions based on the same Scriptures and still agree that God is Triune, Jesus was without sin, and we are saved by grace alone. Christ did not get himself caught up in such squabbles. He was far too interested in teaching people about who God is, and time was too short to waste. “Persecution is purposeful suffering for the sake of Christ and for his glory,” wrote Tim Keesee. Whose glory are you interested in?

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Paul was let down the side of a building in a basket, and the disciples fled from their enemies. Eventually, they had to stop running and face the blows that were coming their way, or they were caught by wily adversaries. But they did not walk out into the street and say, “Come get me.”

Christians are encouraged to not just stand there - run! There is nothing in the act of standing there, waiting to be caught, which glorifies Jesus. If you are able to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and do so without getting caught, then get going. Do that, but remember that our Lord removed himself from dangerous situations until it was time to be taken. “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” (John 6:15). He was no coward; Jesus just knew the difference between gratuitous and necessary suffering.

As Christians, “we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Let this guide you away from persecution, which, though related to your faith, could have been avoided.

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How do you know when suffering is your responsibility? Sometimes, the consequences of our wayward decisions cause pain and suffering in our lives. 

Missionaries in countries where Christianity is viewed as a crime work with formal agencies to evaluate the safest and most effective ways to go about their work of evangelizing unbelievers. They do not try to become targets, although they know the risks. Tom Kessee talks about examples of so-called missionaries who were caught by foreign governments “as a result of arrogance” because they approached their mission thoughtlessly. They did not consult missionaries who were already working in those countries, whose lives were made more dangerous by the actions of cowboy “evangelists.”

As for day-to-day life, where you are more likely to incur someone’s dislike than to suffer physical harm, consider how you talk about Jesus and how you pursue your friends for the gospel.

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There may be a policy at our place of work instructing employees not to proselytize. Whether you are a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or Christian, you may not be permitted to push your beliefs upon anyone else. If a boss enforces this rule in everyone’s case without discriminating against a particular person or belief, then we are not being discriminated against. If you break this rule and get written up, or even fired ultimately, you will not be persecuted - unless your view is the only one being treated this way.

Make the distinction between casual talk and evangelism. If you talk about faith constantly, virtually forcing Jesus down people’s throats, badgering them, and making them uncomfortable, you are being belligerent and abusive. If, however, sharing your beliefs comes as a natural part of the conversation, an answer to questions about the way you think and live your life, then you should be able to share naturally. Do not force it. Do not orchestrate it. Let God do that - he is the Master of timing, creating opportunities where you are not looking for them.

Share thoughtfully. Is now a good time to tell someone you need to eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood to be his disciple? After this teaching, “many of [Jesus] disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (John 6:66). That is strange news for an unbeliever to stomach.

As Erik Raymond says, there are various levels of persecution, and you could be facing legitimate oppression right now. It might not be to the same degree as a preacher in Russia or an evangelist in a Middle Eastern prison, but even your quiet resistance to emotional abuse in the home could be an example of resisting persecution. If you really are suffering, make sure you gather support around you if you can. Rely on the Body of Christ to help. Persecution is not about stoicism or “going it alone.” Every Christian, sharing in Christ’s suffering, also has a responsibility to their brothers and sisters in both literal and figurative chains.

Sources:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/how-to-think-about-persecution-when-youre-not-very-persecuted/
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/how-should-christians-respond-attacks-and-insults
https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-persecution/

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