I will regularly post some thought-provoking questions and/or commentary in this space, which I hope you, the reader, will feel free to comment upon or discuss at length, sharing your perspective with everyone reading. These may consist of controversial, in-depth discussions and conversations and will frequently change over time and be deleted as we move from one topic to the next. Please suggest a topic if you like!
This is just to get the creative thought processes flowing for all of us as we use our minds and exchange thought on any interesting subject that comes up.
Watch this space for future commentary and thanks in advance for your participation.
The second topic up for discussion is entitled:
Verbal Persecution/Abuse & the Christian
How should a Christian react to verbal abuse, mockery, cursing, and radical hatred expressed toward God, the bible, Jesus Christ, himself, or other Christians? What do we do when the abuse is extreme, angry, or even dangerous and threatening? What does the bible tell us to do and how to act to handle this? How should we feel about it? What does the natural man feel? What would Jesus do and how would He handle these things?
Do Christians have to simply endure abusive behavior? What’s your opinion?
Related articles
- Facing Persecution (ptl2010.com)
- The True Test Of Loyalty (paulstohler.com)
- Persecution (scripturenuggets.wordpress.com)
- Promises of Persecution (ssimplyme.com)
I don’t think Christians have to endure abusive behavior. Certainly the bible tells us a variety of things in the New Testament that appear to celebrate persecution, but this is an overall attitude one is to take about being persecuted, in my opinion. It’s a way of perceiving the overall abuse so that it doesn’t destroy us.
We cannot allow persecution to steal our beliefs, strength, happiness in Christ, or shut us down. We have to recognize that our leader, Jesus Christ, was persecuted for the very things He preached and believed, so why would we be treated any differently? Our beliefs convict others of their own sins and they don’t like the conviction. If we’re vocal about the bible and express these beliefs in any depth, if we’re unwilling to go along with the world’s perspective, we’re going to be the “odd balls.” It’s likely to be fairly unpopular.
Persecution becomes a serious problem when it turns emotionally and physically damaging or abusive. We can turn the other cheek initially, but at some point, we have to speak out and stand up for ourselves. It may not do any good and we may continue to suffer mistreatment or be treated in an unjust, biased manner, but at least we tried to do something about it instead of keeping quiet and doing nothing.
Doing nothing allows the abuser to think that they have free reign to continue to abuse us and others. No bully was ever adequately dealt with this way. And that is exactly what being persecuted for one’s faith is all about. It’s about someone who is extremely fearful, who is a bully, taking out their fear and rage on us. It is a sick way of attempting to deal with their fear and ignorance in a dysfunctional, unhealthy, inappropriate manner. It has to be corrected or it continues.
Christians should be firm in expressing themselves in their beliefs and opinions, but should endeavor not to get down onto the same level of the people who are persecuting them. It’s really better to walk away or disengage then to roll in the mud with the mudslinger and become as dirty as they are. By standing up for what we believe in an appropriate, polite, respectful manner, we’re doing God’s will, no matter how it’s received. Sometimes though, no matter how appropriate we are, people just aren’t going to like what we’re saying or presenting and they may become down right abusive about it.
One of the more difficult things is to love those who hurt us, who abuse us, who hate us, whose behavior is sick and shameful in regard to us. I think this kind of loving only comes with serious prayer and a seriously mature faith. It takes time to reach this point in one’s Christian walk and I admire those who have arrived and are able to truly love those who persecute them. I’m still learning, in this regard, and am more successful some times than other times.
By: the warrioress on March 18, 2012
at 10:51 pm
I’m dealing with a lot of fall out for exposing the blog on a site that allows others to freely persecutes the religious, but I consider the fall out worth it because I’m fighting for what I believe in.
If we don’t speak up, speak out, and bring things to one another’s attention, the world just gets a little worse each day. If we never get out of ourselves long enough to fight for the religious rights we have under the American Constitution, the ungodly radicals that want to destroy and persecute Christians will do so freely and even more prevalently.
Our forefathers won our freedom because they were willing to stand up and fight for what they valued. We have religious freedom in America at the moment, but can we keep it? If we say nothing while they persecute and abuse us, we lose a little more of our freedom every day. Not to mention that this sends a message that I don’t think we should become comfortable with.
By: the warrioress on March 19, 2012
at 9:52 pm
[...] – Conversation Corner - [...]
By: Verbal Abuse of the Religious « life of a female bible warrior on March 20, 2012
at 6:37 pm
I do not have a large following but I am surprised that I have not had negative comments. I am sure they are coming at some point though. Yes, we have to speak up. I really like your post today. I will be praying for strength for you in fighting the good fight!
By: Regular Joe on March 20, 2012
at 6:49 pm
I’m surprised too, Regular Joe. I think this kind of verbal persecution will become even more prevalent as time moves on. It’s really very common anymore when one utilizes different forums and social networking sites where blogs and forums are. And I’m seeing it increase day after day, which worries me a lot.
What worries me even more is the Christians who think that we are some how due this and that we deserve persecution since we are Christians. Yes, they persecuted Christ but that doesn’t make it right! They should not have. Someone should have stopped them. No one spoke out though; I guess they were all too scared.
By: the warrioress on March 21, 2012
at 11:17 pm
My latest post as of about 10 minutes ago will probably raise a few more negative comments as it is a little more political and will probably hit more google searches. That was not the purpose but rather to speak the truth and help people make decisions on the Bible rather than what is comfortable. I believe we have reached a tipping point in this country and will see a lot more persecution of Christians and much less liberty. Have a good evening, God Bless you and your endeavors.
By: Regular Joe on March 21, 2012
at 11:27 pm
Thanks, Joe. God bless you and your endeavors for Christ, as well. I’m about to head over to your blog and review your post
By: the warrioress on March 22, 2012
at 12:26 am
While I agree we need to defend ourselves and fellow Christians from abuse, I think there is a line that must not be crossed. Is it the snake or the venom that is poison?
Jesus fought hate and abuse with love. He taught us to turn the other cheek and said to keep turning our cheeks. So we need to ask our self are we projecting the same venom toward our enemy and if we are – are we putting our self in his shoes?
I am not disagreeing with you, I am saying we need to be careful how we approach it. It is a very thin line!
Walk daily with God at your side!
Ed
By: efchristi on March 22, 2012
at 7:07 am
Ed, I agree we must fight hate and abuse with love. I attempted that for three years on the other site that I was a member of. It absolutely didn’t make a difference and in fact, the abusive behavior there has gotten worse. I can’t tell you how many Christians have left on their own or been removed; I’ve sincerely lost count.
I don’t have any venom to project; I’m just tired of taking the abuse and watching other Christians have to take it as none of the Christians there stand up for them. I’m out of the land mine area now and have my own blog here at Word Press. I can tell the world what’s happening and make a difference because my hands are no longer tied, nor do I value my membership there anymore. The other Christians are just too scared to speak up because they don’t want to be directly in the line of fire and be removed by the site; that is truly my opinion on the thing.
Now generally speaking, I agree that we have to turn the other cheek, love our “enemy” or those who persecute us, but at some point when that isn’t helping and making a difference, we need to stand up for one another and do something to change the direction things are going or we’re going to find ourselves facing the same physical persecution that is now going on all over the world in the Middle East, etc. It’s not a big leap to begin to physically abuse Christians in America, when they are already being emotionally and verbally abused and assaulted.
By: the warrioress on March 22, 2012
at 3:47 pm
Teddy Roosevelt once said -”speak softly and carry a big stick” – wise words from a wise man. Grandfather always reminded me that sticks and stone could break my bones, but words can never hurt me. More wise words from an old indian chief.
I speak softly, as most people will tell you, but my big stick is a Glock 19 concealed in a holster under my shirt. But, I am not a violent person, considering I was a Marine in Vietnam. I will defend myself and family.
I learned a long time ago that harsh words back and forth generally turns into some sort of violent action. That is why I said it is a thin line. I think for the most part these people who are so verbal on the website are probably just doing it to get a reaction – I guess they won that one.
When things turn physical than there are laws that come into effect that can handle that type of violence. My caution to you is just to remind you that as actions accelerate someone will take it one step too far and someone will be hurt bad. If you remember what Jesus said when asked how many times you should turn your cheek, it was seventy times seven Mathew 18:21-22 Just remember we are Christians every minute of everyday. I love you too, just be careful about crossing that line.
Walk daily with God at your side!
Ed.
By: efchristi on March 22, 2012
at 5:22 pm
I believe we must show love and set the example. Revenge is God and God word is our weapon to speak on whats truth. If you see someone committing an act of rape, do you just stand by and pretend you never saw it? Do you intervene and try to stop it or get some help? Personally, knowing God’s word guides me to stand on truth even if I must stand alone.
Of course I am never alone because He is with me. Jesus was beat and ridiculed and through love He conquered the enemy and now He sit at the right side of His Father. Love conquers in th spirit rim no matter what the physical rim displays.
Shenine
By: Author of Christian Comfort & Conversation on March 30, 2012
at 9:09 pm
I do my best to show love and really try to for a very long period of time. What I’ve found though, is that sometimes the world doesn’t need enabling and approval when they are dead wrong. Sometimes the world needs exactly what Jesus did with those who sullied the church as they sold their wares in Christ’s Father’s House. He made a little whip of cords and drove them out!
There comes a point where we must speak out and stand up for what is right. Right and wrong are murky concepts anymore these days. People think they can do exactly as they please. Christians must be firm in their morality and take a stance, even if it’s not popular.
I think we agree, Author, and I’m glad to see it. And yes, I too will stand on truth, even if I must stand alone. I’ve had to stand alone a lot of times and it’s not an unusual course for me to have had to get used to. Thanks for participating in this conversation and God bless you.
By: the warrioress on March 30, 2012
at 10:14 pm
I understand you. I too have had to take a stance but I used the word of God to say to others that I will not be moved. I certainly believe we are not to be welcome mats for others to stump on. God will intervene when we have done what His word says. Verily so we must stand for God and not deny what is truth.
You have a strong stance and I admire that. A warrior for Christ- one who is ready to go through thick and thin for truth. I enjoyed the fellowship with you. Yes some people take kindness as weakness.
Shenine
By: Author of Christian Comfort & Conversation on March 30, 2012
at 10:28 pm
Shenine, it’s great to meet you; I’m Adrienne.
Taking a strong stance can actually be criticized by some who are in Christ, who want us to coddle those who hate Christ and Christians. I think there comes a point where we have to love our enemy but also recognize that he is indeed our enemy, and God’s enemy. When they begin to kill us in this country, perhaps more Christians will realize the seriousness of what is ahead of us.
This is why it’s so important that we share what’s really happening out in this nation. If this same kind of hate speech were written about someone for their sexuality or race, it would probably make the news, but for some reason, people don’t care anymore if the religious are brutalized, in print or otherwise.
By: the warrioress on March 31, 2012
at 12:33 am