7 Principles For Thinking Biblically About Persecution

I recently preached Matthew 10:16-25 to the congregation of New City Church. I saw at least seven principles in the text. Having shared it with my church family, I wanted to share it with you as well.

Here you go!

1. Jesus wants us dependent like sheep.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.”

Sheep are weak. Sheep run from wolves, that is, if they can even see them through all the wool covering their eyes. Sheep are vulnerable and without offensive weapon. Here, Jesus tells the Apostles plainly, “I’m sending you out as sheep among wolves.” Depend on me. I am your Shepherd. All that you will need is in Me, and in my Words.

2. Seek the Lord for wisdom and uncompromising holiness.

‌”‌so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves”

When attacked, or wrongfully treated, we may lose self-control, lash out, become bitter, hateful, or even worse – harmful to others, and ruin our witness. That is not the way of Christ. The dove is harmless, and the serpent is wise. We can be both. We can use intellect, and seek wisdom from God in times of trouble, so that we do not compromise holiness.

3. Whether living or dying, be a testimony before all.

“Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”

He was not trying to scare them. He knew where their witness would carry them if they remained faithful. All of the Apostles (minus John) are believed to have died as Martyrs for Christ. Still, the overwhelming sense that we get from both Scripture and history is their faithfulness to the end. They testified to the goodness of Christ whether in life or death. The gospel reached places it never would have without persecution.

4. Your Father will give you the right words, in the right way, at the right moment.

“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

I think of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. I think of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego as they stood before the furnace about to be thrown in. I think of Paul before Agrippa and Festus. He gave them all the words to say when they needed it. We are not to prepare a speech for these times, but to leave it to God. He is with His people and will give the words when needed. Trust Him, and do not be anxious.

Consider this quote from Polycarp before he was burned at the stake.

“Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed Child Jesus Christ. I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and this hour, that I may be able to share in the number of the martyrs, to drink from the cup of your Christ, that I may rise and live forever, body and soul, in the incorruption of the Holy Spirit. May I be admitted with those martyrs to your presence this day, as a welcomed and acceptable sacrifice. You have made my life a preparation for this; you let me see that this was to happen, and now you have brought it to pass, for you are the true and faithful God.”

5. When you count the cost and follow Christ, be prepared for deep divides.

‌”Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”

The Gospel heals families, and it breaks families. It heals marriages, and it breaks marriages. It can unite a child and parent, and it can sever their bond. If there are to be these kinds of divisions in your family, may it be for the name of Christ, and not due to sin or hardness of heart. We need to know this, and stand upon the truth. Jesus is preparing them for the worst, but not without giving them hope. We have this hope too. Even with the potential for divisions, Jesus is worth it.

6. Persecution will not last forever.

‌”But the one who endures to the end will be saved”

Jesus told them that there would be an end to these things. God alone determines that end. The seasons of suffering that we face will end too. We pray for peace in our homes, at our jobs, and among family members. We pray for it across the world and in our communities. But we also pray for it in an ultimate sense while we trust in God’s timing. Life is temporary. The things that matter most are eternal. That’s always true.

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 1 Corinthians 4:17-18

7. Remember Jesus Christ, our Master and Teacher. We are not above Him.

““A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household”

Jesus tells them that He, too, will be persecuted. Jesus suffered the greatest extent of persecution. When or if persecution comes upon you, and you think to yourself, “Why would God allow this?”, this is when you need to remember Jesus Christ. Remember that you are not above your Master. Christ’s own people maligned His name and His mission, even accusing Him of being Beelzebub. Should we be surprised at opposition or trouble, whether from persecution or otherwise? No. We are His disciples, not only in good times, but in suffering too. What do you need Him to teach you in this regard?

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 2 Timothy 2:8-9

Praise be to God for His Word, His promises, for hope, and for His Sovereign care over His sheep!