If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
— John 15:18-20
Even after all of the messages I’ve been ordained to teach my congregation, with all the head nods along the way, the “uh-huhs,” and the looks of understanding and even sympathy, no one really “gets it” until they, personally, are the target of an attack. The most injurious satanic attacks tend to come from where you least expect it. A perfect example is, “But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man’” (Matthew 16:23). While I’m sure Jesus wasn’t surprised by Peter’s satanic attack on Him, I’ve not met a single person who wasn’t jolted the first time they read this verse. Attacks often come from those closest to us, which, if you don’t steel yourself beforehand, can send you reeling.
Never be surprised by where personal attacks come from. In fact, it’s best to expect them from those whom you least expect. If Jesus didn’t entrust himself to man, why would we?
But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
— John 2:24-25
If you stand up for truth, on the strength of integrity to Christ and His Word, you will be persecuted. Interestingly, the only way this wisdom seems to take root is through experiencing an actual attack. It’s not enough to simply know this truth, academically; God chooses to teach us through experience. When we steel ourselves, we grow - we learn what it means to remain obedient under trial. This is something Jesus chose to learn for Himself during His incarnation.
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
— Hebrews 5:7-8
Paul loved the church at Philippi and the saints there, personally. However, he was made aware of factions and divisions in the church, so when he wrote to them, he endeavored to have them transcend their circumstances. He asked them to steel themselves while others persisted in attacking him, personally, and the church he had planted there. He wanted love to rule the day, to guard their hearts and minds so that they would bring glory to God amidst their trials. He wrote this epistle while imprisoned, using his own circumstances as proof of the “fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11). In fact, for some, Paul’s tenacity while enduring his own suffering for Christ was encouraging, emboldening them to press on in their own way.
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
— Philippians 1:8-18
As I wrote earlier, we have to expect the unexpected. In Paul’s case, there were those who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ that allowed personal jealousy to stain their ministries, which made them antagonistic to the Apostle, himself. As untenable as this seems, Paul wasn’t ruined by it; rather, he steeled himself, transcended the situation, and rejoiced that Christ was being proclaimed, despite the ungodly attacks he had to endure along the way. This was his freedom, you see. Paul was physically imprisoned and the wolves were attacking his sheep, believing they’d make headway in their efforts to discredit him in his absence. Paul discerned this truth for himself, understood it, and those who were humble enough to see the same were encouraged by his resolve. Humility led the way to freedom, as it always does. Humility allows obedient children to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14); and, in doing so, showcase God’s grace.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
— Philippians 3:12-16
Paul wrote something that I’ve learned myself over the years. This kind of mettle can only be forged through experience - there’s just no substitute. I believe we pastors are forced to learn this lesson very early on in our ministries, lest we succumb to the pressure and quit. We must learn to steel ourselves so that our sheep may “imitate [our] faith” (Hebrews 13:7). This is what we just noted in Philippians 1:14, where the brothers were encouraged by Paul’s convictions. In the absence of the experience of being forced to steel oneself, this kind of transcendence is unattainable. We must go through it - God has ordained it - each in our own way, in our own time, and with our own weaknesses in tow. Nonetheless, “God…gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), so we have the key to surviving our attacks. As Paul wrote towards the end of this magnificent epistle, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). So can you, my friend. I say this from experience: own this truth, for it is yours to keep and to protect you.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
— Philippians 4:4-9
Paul wanted the Philippians to pursue the same humility that he revealed to them through his own suffering. If anyone knew what it was like to be attacked for standing up for Christ, it was Paul. His message was simple: stay humble and “practice these things” (v9). The Greek word translated “practice” here means “to do, perform, accomplish”. It is in the present tense, active voice, and imperative mood, which means it is a command to be carried out habitually. In context, it means to hand your attackers over to God (v4-7), focus on all things good (v8), and enjoy your transcendent, God-given peace (v9). In other words, steel yourself and bring glory to the God of all grace.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
— 1 Peter 5:6-11
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
