Focus on the Real Foe
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:10-11 (KJV)
Have you ever been falsely accused for simply trying to do what you believe God would have you do? If you have been a Christian for very long, I am sure someone has spoken against you and misjudged you for following the Lord’s leading. Jesus said persecution would come. People will talk- you can’t stop them.
Although it is hurtful and frustrating, Jesus told us that we are blessed when it happens. It means that the enemy considers us a big enough threat that he has to influence people to come against us. And if he is able, the devil will choose to use people close to us so the attack is felt more deeply.
If we refuse to allow the enemy to pull us away from our assignment, if we stand steadfast in the Lord, we are promised the kingdom of heaven as our reward. When we are misunderstood and wrongly accused, we must remember to follow what Jesus said in the verse that followed so that we come out of the attack victoriously.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:12 (KJV)
It is not easy to rejoice when you feel hurt by someone close to you; when you feel like you’ve been punched in the stomach. However, it is the best way to win over the enemy. We must do as David did when the enemy plundered his camp and carried off all the women and children captive; we must encourage ourselves in the Lord. Speak the Word. Sing His praises. Laugh at the enemy. Recall times when God has been faithful to you in the past. These are ways to encourage ourselves in the Lord.
When we can look at the people coming against us and remember that we do not wrestle against them, but against demonic forces (Ephesians 6:12), we can focus on overcoming the real foe. We must choose to forgive them because they really do not know the enemy is using them for his purposes. And if you want to make the devil really sorry he messed with you, pray for the person who has hurt you. It will help both you and them.
However, I say to you, love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them. Matthew 5:44 (The Passion Translation, TPT)
