From Christianity’s early days, the church has always been under attack. Sometimes, this has been true in surprising ways. For example, the name we carry as Christ-followers—Christians—was originally coined in Antioch, and Kevin DeYoung points out that it seems to have been derogatory. People called Christ’s followers “little anointed ones” as an insult—along with terms like “strangers,” “slaves,” and “the uncircumcised.”
Whether it’s physical persecution, job discrimination, or rudeness, we will have moments where our faith is challenged, and we must stand firm in our faith. Like the early Christians, we face many rude labels: Bible thumpers, fanatics, do-gooders, hypocrites, infidels, deluded, liars, gullible, misled, narrow-minded, and ignorant, to name just a few. Some unbelievers will smirk and say, “Oh, you’re one of those!”
However, we shouldn’t respond as the world responds. We follow the “law of the Spirit of life” (Romans 8:2). We are free in Christ (Galatians 2:4), while the world is still darkness (Ephesians 5:6). It’s up to us to display our Christ-won and held freedom to the world. The Bible tells us we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), part of His victorious procession (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). We must stand firm in our faith and walk as victors. The name He gives each of us is eternal; what the world labels us will be burned up with the wicked.
However, we need help every day (from God, from our fellow believers, from spiritual practices) to live out our new identities in Christ. Here are 10 ways to stand firm in your faith and defy worldly labels.
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Romans 12:12 tells us, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” In the Ephesians passage that tells us to put on the full armor of God, Paul adds a call for continued obedience. We are to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
Prayer is vital in our daily walk as Christians. We pray thanksgiving to the Lord and ask our Lord to supply our needs, including the wisdom and discernment to behold, react, and answer questions related to our faith in Christ (more strategy is outlined below in the full armor of God heading).
A faithful, prayerful Christian will not back down or change their stand in Christ based on a worldly label.
Other passages to infuse into your daily readiness include Acts 6:4, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2, James 5:16, and 1 Peter 3:12, among many others.
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Only by learning Scripture can we partake of the whole counsel of God for growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18), for encouragement (Psalm 31:24), and for God’s glory (Romans 4:20; 5:2; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
When we take the precious and God-honoring time to read, meditate upon, and study the Scriptures, God equips us to stand firm in our faith. Throughout the Bible, time and time again, we see God’s unfolding redemptive plan enacted. The Lord Jesus said that upon the rock of Peter’s confession of Jesus Christ as Lord, He will build His church, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Scripture knowledge inclusive of a heart attuned and obedient to God’s will equals being equipped “for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). In addition to Scriptural knowledge through the Holy Spirit leading us to understanding, is solid biblical teaching by pastors, elders, and other more mature Christians.
With this grounding in Scripture, a Christian can display their faith by sharing what the Lord has done, is doing, and what He will do without worry of a contradiction in their faith or God’s Word.
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Ephesians 6:10-24 is a sobering yet encouraging reminder of what we face in this world and what the Lord has won for us—an impermeable covering of Christ. We are told to stand against the schemes of the devil, and the world’s labels are part and parcel of his attempts to disgrace and discredit the church.
The belt of truth and the sword of the Spirit serve as the surrounding border, if you will—holding all the other components within. Both involve truth—the truth of Christ and who we are in Him and the truth of His Word (1 Corinthians 2:16). Every other piece of armor is enclosed within truth. The breastplate of righteousness we wear is Christ’s righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). The helmet of salvation is our assurance of to whom we belong, and we proclaim the truth Jesus is Lord (1 John 5:10-13; see also Isaiah 59:17-19). Our “shoes” show our readiness to share the Gospel of peace.
In this armor, we do not waver; no matter what the world calls us, we know who we are in Christ.
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Galatians 5:22-23 lists what the world sees as we walk by the Spirit. It’s who we are. Because of the Spirit within us, we display His fruit:
As we encounter a world that defines us by its standards, we stand firm by being and responding not in kind but with all the fruit God gives by His Spirit.
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The Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. . .” (italics added). However, we do not respond as the world responds: the second part of the verse tells us, “yet do it with gentleness and respect.” Elsewhere, the Bible calls us to speak the truth with humility, gentleness, and love (Ephesians 4:15). Part of being prepared means knowing Scripture as much as possible. Today, we have many Bible resources, from the traditional printed Scriptures to apps and online Bibles. We have no excuse for not knowing God’s Word as best we can.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). Our knowledge of God comes from His Word, and we can bring to mind the truths of God’s Word to answer and, if need be, refute the world’s labels.
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It’s always good to know what unbelievers are paying attention to so we can speak intelligently to those involved. We are in the kingdom, and we are also aliens and sojourners in the world (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 2:11). It’s what some theology-minded individuals call the “already-not-yet”—still in the world but kingdom dwellers, nonetheless.
Jesus prayed for us in His high priestly prayer (John 17); He said, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (John 17:14-15).
Keeping abreast of news and events will help us pray for the world and relate to unbelievers who think Christians are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good. The Apostle Paul tells us, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Unbelievers will then look at you with new eyes when you defy the world’s label of ignorant followers.
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It’s easy to become a complacent Christian, happy to attend services on Sunday and then go about “normal” life Monday-Saturday. But a Christian’s normal life is a new, abundant one (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 10:10), especially when yoked together with a strong, Bible-believing and teaching church body. Fellowship with the body of Christ means growing together in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We learn, grow, hold each other accountable, and counsel one another regarding the world’s ways and how they affect us. Solomon said, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). As we walk together as Christians, we always have the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:6, 14; Galatians 5:15-26).
Therefore, as we live in this world, stand faithfully firm with your Christian brothers and sisters because we all walk in the triumphal procession with Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14).
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One way we show the world there is more to our faith than the labels is by refusing to stay in “holy huddles.” So, seek relationships with unbelievers, including those who take a more balanced view of Christians. Let them get to know you and erase the worldly label they’re tempted to impose upon you. We are His ambassadors, God making His appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20).
When people see the way we display our faith to a lost and dying world, things can change in ways we don’t expect. How wonderful if the day comes that, like Paul, we can look back at our time with unbelievers and know, “they glorified God because of me” (Galatians 1:24).
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We are often commanded to do good, regardless of whether people treat us well (Galatians 6:10, Philippians 4:8, Galatians 1:24).
In Matthew 5:16, our Lord Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Phillip J. Long adds, “Followers of Jesus are to be like Jesus and do good toward those who attack them, rather than follow the culture and seek revenge.” Long highlights how Jesus teaches this principle in the Sermon on the Mount—to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-26, Matthew 5:43-47) and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42)—and how Paul repeats these principles (Romans 12:14, 17-21).
This is huge for a watching world. There exists a true and sobering axiom for believers: Living in this world amid unbelievers is the closest a Christian will ever come to hell, and being in the world among believers is the closest way that unbelievers will come to heaven (unless they are later saved). Shine your light, be salty, and do good to all.
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We must remember in all matters, even this “light, momentary affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17), God is not surprised. Furthermore, He will use everything for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Remember that the church thrives under persecution. James tells us to count trials as joy (James 1:2-4).
Consider what happened after Peter and other apostles were called before a council of Jewish religious leaders. “When they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” (Acts 5:41-42).
Every Christian of every age—from childhood through old age—has everything they need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Standing firm in our faith in the face of persecution is part of living a godly life. Slander will continue until the Lord returns and brings His recompense (Isaiah 40:10; James 1:12; 1 Peter 3:8-12).
The people Peter addressed in his letter were facing severe persecution; ours is severe only in that worldly labels denigrate God’s name. Our faith is our billboard to the world. No one and nothing can erase what we proclaim: Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
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