Expect Persecution
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13, NIV
When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior I was a child about ten years old. I was told how good God is and how great my life would be with Him as my savior. I had heard all the Bible stories about David and Goliath, Jonah in the belly of the whale and Daniel in the Lion’s Den but nothing prepared me to understand that things could get worse. I don’t ever remember being told that when I became a believer I would be persecuted.
However, the more I studied the word I began to understand that persecution would come. In the scripture above Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to make sure he understood that he will be persecuted because of Christ. Paul makes a passionate statement that every follower of Christ will be persecuted. He knew because of all the persecution he had suffered. Paul had been driven out of towns because of jealousy, he had been put in prison and he had been stoned and left for dead all because He lived a godly life in Christ Jesus.
Persecution: the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook; to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief
As believers we know this word to be true but we are surprised when we are mistreated by co-workers, lied on by our bosses or even love ones betray our trust. We expect that we will be treated with the same kindness we give out but we are dealing with a wicked spirit. We must remember that persecution comes from the spirit world. We are a spirit, Satan is a spirit and he uses those in the flesh to attack our spirit. We have to be prepared to deal with this treatment through the spirit realm by putting on our full armor of God. Our armor of God is to deal with the Spirit realm (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:13-17, KJV)
We can face any spiritual attack the enemy throws because Jesus lives inside of us and when we put on our full armor of God we are equipped!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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