What is Persecution and How Do We Handle It?

There’s a difference between persecution and criticism.

Persecution is a common theme in the New Testament as well as a common occurrence. Followers of Jesus faced persecution from both religious and secular leadership. And for the past 2000 years, that persecution has existed in many forms in many places around the globe.

In the west, there are some who see their faith under attack. However, are they being persecuted or criticized? In many parts of the world today, persecution is severe and violent. It is important to recognize the differences between persecution and criticism. As I explain in the three reasons below, the difference becomes clear. But first, let’s see what Jesus said about persecution.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:10–12 (ESV)

Here are three very clear reasons Christians are criticized:

Intolerance/hate – Christians far too often demonstrate an attitude of intolerance towards people who live lifestyles that don’t match their values. Social media has made it so easy to spread these messages of intolerance. Mean spirited and, even, hateful messages are routinely shared among Christians. I believe that true followers of Jesus welcome and love those whose lifestyles are contrary to their own values, just as Jesus did. Mercy, grace and love are meant to draw people to a God of infinite love.

Being intolerant and hateful to others is worthy of harsh criticism but that criticism is not persecution when it is valid.

Judgmentalism – This is related to the previous reason. It is a problem in the Christian community. We tend to judge. We blur the line between being discerning and judgmental. Learning the difference between being Spirit led and self-governed is essential. We cannot condemn people for their shortcomings and failures. To do so is to violate the command of Jesus that we are not to be judgmental.

Hasty words are too often judgmental. We condemn sin but too often sound like we are condemning the sinner instead. I am convinced that the convicting work that is required can be fully affected by the Holy Spirit. He truly doesn’t need me to do that! Speaking the truth in love certainly should never come across as judgmental, and if we think it might, we should keep silent!

Hypocrisy – When we don’t practice what we preach, we are hypocrites. Here is a classic example: we speak out loudly about a couple living what could be called an LBGTQ lifestyle while we ignore those who practice sexual abuse or adultery.  We preach love, mercy and grace, celebrate the forgiveness of God and then are harsh in how we treat others.

As a follower of Jesus, I have one expectation of those who are worldly: that they will live and act in a worldly way. When I express an expectation that they live up to the standard of Christ, I have truly earned their criticism and it is valid.

Here are three reasons Christians are persecuted:

Intolerance/hate – There are people who simply will not tolerate someone who lives a morally upstanding life. When we seek to emulate Jesus, they hate it! If we don’t follow their own religious practice or lifestyle they want to eliminate us from their lives. When we don’t conform to the ways of the world, they take steps to make our lives uncomfortable in order to pressure us to conform.

Spiritual warfare – Satan is alive and well. He finds way to oppose those who follow Jesus and inspires acts of hate and persecution. He inspires ignorance and false narratives about Jesus and his followers. His goal is to destroy the works of God. Therefore, he wants to destroy us.

Conviction – There are those who are strongly opposed to followers of Jesus because they are convicted of their own sinful lives. When they are in our presence their guilt surfaces and they are profoundly uncomfortable. They attack us or employ a strategy to undermine our faith, so they feel better about themselves.

Finally

As followers of Jesus, we must do all we can to live like Jesus did. Of course, to do so, we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within us to enable and empower full obedience to God. We don’t lean on a label of Christian to define who we are but we look to the ‘author and finisher of our faith.’ He alone can transform us and help us to live as we ought to.

We accept the reality that we will be criticized because we are human and have not yet attained ‘the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ We also accept the reality that we may be persecuted – and for that we rejoice as we ought to!

Your turn

Examine your life. Surrender to the leadership of Jesus and determine to live like him. Honestly analyze your thoughts and words to ensure that you have not been hateful, intolerant, judgmental or hypocritical and ask forgiveness if you have.

Let’s resolve to join together to be mercy and grace and the light of the world: to bring love, joy and peace to those around us!