This is the last blog in my series on the Beatitudes. We end today with Matthew 5:10-13:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
One of Strong’s definitions for persecuted in this verse is: “to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away.”
Persecution is simply opposition from the devil to try and prevent us from doing the will of God.
Anyone who follows Christ will be persecuted. Jesus said, “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (John 15:20).
When I followed God’s plan to write my first book about His will for our marriages and families, the devil tried to stop me many different ways. I had never experienced such strong opposition before I started writing. He attacked my marriage by trying to turn my husband against me. He attacked my children through disobedience. Discipline that worked well in the past didn’t work then.
He attacked my family’s health. For almost six months straight we were hit with odd sicknesses; soars even the doctors couldn’t diagnose. He attacked our finances. The first year I started writing, everything seemed to break down. Our cars broke down four consecutive times in a row until we had nothing left in our bank account to fix them.
He turned family members, friends, and fellow believers against me. Even several Christians who didn't know me, that I sought for assistance in editing and publishing, he turned against me, as they were hateful toward me.
But the most dangerous persecution I think I experienced was the great attack on my heart. From the rejection and let down from others, especially fellow believers, my heart was in danger of hardening.
The Bible warns us, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT).The devil will attack our hearts more than anything else because he knows we will follow our hearts wherever they lead us. We are dangerous to him when our hearts our guarded and filled with Christ’s love.
Ironically, the same persecution that was meant to drive me away from the will of God is what motivated me to press on and allow God to heal my heart. Knowing I was being attacked, confirmed I was speaking the truth and obeying God’s will. The devil wouldn’t have tried so hard to shut me up if I wasn’t a threat to him. This made me more eager to press on and continue obeying God and sharing His Word.
I recently read this quote online from Joyce Meyer’s book The Power of Simple Prayer: How to Talk with God about Everything:
“Anytime we begin to make progress against the kingdom of darkness and do something that advances the kingdom of God, the devil does everything he can to resist us, frustrate us, and try to stop us.”
We must not allow the devil to succeed in driving us away from the will of God. We must stand against his attacks and continue doing God’s will, so we can reach others and receive our reward in heaven.
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Hebrews 10:32-39
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for not allowing anything the devil throws at us to crush us. We are more than conquerors through Christ. Help us to guard our hearts when people turn against us. We know they are not rejecting us, they are rejecting You, Lord. Help us to press on during persecution and run our race with joy, knowing we will receive a great reward.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
Amen Amanda! Great lesson and article.
God Bless... :)
Posted by: Bro Stef | Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Thanks, Stef! It's funny how every message I post is something I need to hear at the moment. I love how God works. I must be called to minister to myself. :)
Posted by: Amanda Beth | Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 06:55 PM
That's really funny. I love it. :)
Posted by: Bro Stef | Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 07:08 PM