One of Satan’s tactics against God’s people is seen most clearly in the media, and the entertainment business. When was the last time you saw a Christian favorably portrayed in a show? Not too long ago, a popular talk show host said our Vice President was mentally ill because he’d said he listened to God’s voice. People who hear voices in their heads are insane, she proclaimed. She got a big laugh out of that statement.
Maybe you’ve been the butt of someone’s joke because of your stand for the Truth of Scripture. Satan delights in making us look like fools.
Satan also uses his own hatred of us against us. People have heard so often that Christians are bigoted, intolerant, hate-mongers that they believe it. Satan’s hate produces hate.
It’s a serious thing to speak against, or lie about God’s people. Read in chapter 35 what God said to Israel’s cousins, the Edomites. They had encouraged Israel’s enemies, wanted the Jews to suffer, and were very vocal against God’s people. Hear what God said about that:
You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it. (35:13)
I HEARD IT.
We Christians are God’s people. He is our Father, our Shepherd, our Champion. He’s the mama bear protecting her cubs, a dad protecting his family against invaders. You don’t want to mess with Him.
But people still mess with God’s children. Listen to how God said He was going to deal with the Edomites who were messing with the Jews:
“While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, O Mount Seir, you and all Edom. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (35:14b-15)
Here’s what God impressed on me this morning: Before I get too smug thinking people who are mean to me will get what they deserve, I need to ask myself if I’m giving them reason to hate me, or criticize me.
If they say I’m a bigot, do I talk like one? If they call me a hypocrite, am I hypocritical? If they want to see me suffer, is it because I’m not expressing the love of God toward them?
The Bible tells us very clearly how we should live, how we should treat people, what our attitudes should be. It tells us we can stand firmly on the Truth and still love our neighbor, do good to those who abuse us.
Understanding how seriously God views attacks against His children, and how devastating the consequences, I don’t want to provoke an attack by my poor choices. If they make fun of me or attack me because of sin in my life, I need to look at my sin and repent. But if those jokes or attacks are directed at me because I am living my life like Jesus lived His, then their behavior is on them.
People hated Jesus without cause. If people hate me, may they also have no cause. And may I warn them how fiercely God protects His children.
It’s not funny to our Father.
alighttomyway 
Interestingly enough, I’ve had a completely opposite experience. I used to be the brunt of the jokes of many prior to my life with Christ. My relationship with Christ opened the door for me to relate to people in and out of the church on a whole different level. I rarely have had anyone make fun of my faith and I’ve been following Jesus for 25 years. However, those that have, suffered greatly shortly after.
Oh John, you made me laugh out loud. What a blessing that you have not felt the sting of being the target of many attacks on your faith. I pray that you will continue to be the man God can use for His glory in every situation. I hope it didn’t sound like I was complaining about being mistreated for my faith. I only want to see those who are opposed to the Truth like Jesus sees them, and never give them ammunition to say things against God because of sin in my life. Thank you for your comment. You made my day! May God bless you and make you a blessing to others.
Lol. I seriously must be an outlier in this and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because can be quite stubborn and determined. I don’t usually allow the opinions of others to influence my joy. I’m very open about my faith in Jesus Christ. Yet I look at my list of friends and it’s such a mixing bowl of people of different walks of life. I never would have imagined that it would be this way, and I certainly didn’t seek it out, so I have to believe that God strategically placed me where he did for a reason. As to my comment of people who have given me a hard time due to my belief, there are 3 that I can think of. Sadly. They all had pretty tragic deaths. Nothing that I desired. The thought kind of makes me sad. I believe that we reap what we sow. Some people sow seeds of death and they dont even realize it.
What a sobering thought. I guess that’s the message God wanted me to hear today. I know not everyone who blasphemes God or mistreats His children come to immediate tragic ends like the people you talked about. But the truth is, He hears. And He is not amused. I prayed for you this morning, that God would continue to use you as you rub shoulders with that mixed bowl of friends you have. May they see Jesus in you, and want Him in their lives, too.
You are awesome. Trusting that you will experience that loving presence of God’s grace and power wherever you go. Bendiciones!!!
Back at you!