Understanding Persecution

by Annette Capps

We know that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus; but occasionally we fail to realize that in order to be a conqueror, there must be something or someone to conquer and overcome.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Matthew 5:10

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 5:11

Why would anyone want to persecute a believer who is trying to walk according to the Word of God? The answer is simple: The light of God that is in a righteous person exposes the darkness in others, and it makes them extremely uncomfortable. The truth is they can’t stand it because it reveals the wickedness in them.

If people are uncomfortable around you, it is probably because the Light is shining through you. That Light reveals all their sins.

The light and life of God shone through evangelist Smith Wigglesworth and exposed the darkness in others, even as he rode passenger trains. God's presence in him caused people to fall on the floor, screaming out, "God save me! I'm a sinner!"

In John 9:39-41 Jesus said: For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

In Mark, chapter 10, Peter said to Jesus, Lo we have left all, and have followed thee (v. 28).

Jesus answered him with these words: Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life (vv. 29,30).

Though Satan is the source of all persecution, he attacks in two ways: through demon spirits or through the people he influences.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

When an individual is continually used to harass you, recognize that it is a plan of the enemy to frustrate you and cause you to lose your effectiveness. Just recognizing what is happening will help. Then deal with the matter in the spirit realm - in prayer and intercession. If one person brings confusion again and again, you must bind the spirit that is influencing him. You can't grab the person by the neck and say, "I bind you in the name of Jesus!" but you can take authority over the evil spirit that is using him and command it to leave. Christians have been wrestling against each other, instead of against the powers of darkness. That allows strife to enter in, causing confusion, contention, and every evil work. Through strife, Satan has tried to get the members of the Church to persecute each other.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness ' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 How can you be blessed when you are being persecuted? Doesn't that sound strange? In Luke 6:22 Jesus said : Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Blessed are you when people are spreading rumors about you. Blessed are you when people are lying about you. You will get extra special rewards if you are persecuted. In Matthew 5:12 Jesus said,… for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which before you.

The key to overcoming persecution is to rejoice. In the first part of Matthew 5:12, Jesus said, Rejoice, and be exceeding glad. He begins Luke 6:23 with these words: Rejoice ye in that day. "Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus! Glory to God! That’s what You told us to do, Jesus! We are to rejoice and be glad!" Why would you be glad when people are stirring up all manner of evil against you? Because you know you are doing the right thing. If you weren't, people would probably leave you alone.

Make a clear distinction between true persecution and a persecution complex. A persecution complex, or paranoia, comes from evil spirits lying to a person.