Do Not Fear Your Adversaries

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries; which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”  Philippians 1:27-28

Words matter.  Once something is said, it can’t really be taken back.  It is like trying to put toothpaste back into the tube.  A little might go back in, but 99.9 percent of it is impossible to refill.  One can apologize, say that he or she misspoke (which is popular among politicians), or use the excuse that he or she didn’t have all the facts before speaking, but once the words are airborne, there’s no gathering them back into one’s mouth, mind, or heart.

Paul cautioned the believers in Philippi (and us as well) to be sure that whatever they spoke about to each other and to the outside world would always align with scripture and the gospel of Christ.  James, Jesus’ half-brother, wrote that the tongue, that is, the words that roll off the tongue, through the lips, and out into the ears of any who are listening, is often an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison”.  With that same tongue we bless God and curse men.  James asked if a water fountain could pour forth water that was both sweet and bitter.  He also said it was a wise man who showed his works with meekness by carrying on a good conversation (James 3:8-13).  Paul’s admonition was to allow the gospel message in the heart guide the words that are expressed by the believer.  That indeed is wisdom.

Paul also urged the Philippian believers and all believers in Christ to not fear their adversaries, those who persecute, mock, and attempt to stop the gospel message from being shared with the lost world.  It may seem like an oxymoron, but those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake are the ones who are blessed.  How can persecution, ridicule, and perhaps threats of danger indicate blessing?  Jesus said in John 15:18 that if the world hates those who follow Christ, it is because they hated Him first.  He went on to say that those who are worldly are loved by the world.  In other words, those who live sinful lives are welcomed by other sinners because they feel no conviction from those who are just like them.  However, true believers bring an atmosphere of conviction because they follow Christ and are instilled with His Holy Spirit which, by their lifestyle, manner of speech, and love for others, should make it evident to any who are paying even a modicum amount of attention that they have an inner peace and joy about them, blessings that can’t be measured.  Many sinners feel somewhat uncomfortable around truly born-again believers just by their presence.  Thus, the persecution, ridicule, and ostracizing are ways to rid the believers and their effects upon the lost to the detriment of sinners.

Those who persecute, attempt to bring fear upon followers of Christ, or intimidate them are displaying evidence of their fall into perdition, the state of eternal death and destruction.  Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, was call by Jesus, the “son of perdition” (John 17:12).  Paul referred to Satan also as the “son of perdition” (II Thessalonians 2:3).  The writer of Hebrews 10:38-39 wrote that those who draw back, or reject, the gospel of Christ, are falling into a state of perdition.  In II Peter 3:7, Peter speaks of the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  Thus, those who reject Christ and His gospel, never to repent and trust Christ, are doomed to perdition.  This isn’t a game.  God doesn’t play games.  Eternal life and death hang in the balance.  Hebrews 10:31 tells us that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”.  When folks display hate, animosity, cruelty, and rejection of Christians, it is an “evident token of perdition”.  When are folks going to wake up to the truth?

Paul added that to be the recipient of such vitriol because of one’s commitment and loyalty to Christ is an evident token, or proof, of salvation.  To be persecuted because one follows Christ and strives for excellence in his or her Christian life pertaining to faith and righteousness in all aspects of living is a sign that he or she is on the right track.  A person who claims to be a Christian yet displays very little evidence in his or her life that would indicate a real commitment to Christ usually doesn’t suffer persecution for he or she has made no waves in a sin-polluted sea of worldly sinners.  Hebrews 12:6-10 tells us that God chastens His children, sometimes by allowing persecution, in order to make them holy.  If one who claims to be a Christian never receives chastisement from his heavenly Father as an earthly father punishes his son to correct him, then it is evidence that he is not a child of God but rather a counterfeit.  It is not the goal of the Christian to intentionally make sinners uncomfortable but rather to make them thirsty for the Living Water.