What happens when standing for biblical truth costs you something?
Maybe someone mocks what you believe.
A family member becomes angry.
A friendship grows strained.
A co-worker thinks less of you.
Or you begin to realize that speaking openly about what Scripture says may cost you approval, acceptance, or opportunity.
That can create a powerful temptation:
Stay quiet.
Jeremiah knew that pressure.
The people of his own hometown did not merely disagree with his message. They threatened his life if he continued speaking in the name of the Lord.
Yet God did not tell Jeremiah to fight back, retaliate, or compromise.
He told him, in effect, I will deal with them. You remain faithful.
That raises some important questions for us.
How should believers respond when people reject biblical truth—and sometimes reject us along with it?
How do we speak truth without becoming argumentative or harsh?
How do we keep fear of people from becoming stronger than our desire to please God?
And where do we find the strength to remain faithful when obedience becomes costly?
Today’s readings also remind us that the Lord Himself is our strength, that there is value in remaining faithfully where God has placed us, and that prayer is not a casual afterthought in the Christian life.
So if standing for truth is becoming harder, perhaps the question is not merely:
“How can I avoid the conflict?”
But:
“How can I remain faithful to Christ in the middle of it?”
Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day,” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here or subscribe and watch on YouTube.
Today’s Readings:
Jeremiah 11 & 12
Psalm 118.10-14
Proverbs 27.8
Colossians 4.1-18
What Should You Do When Standing for Truth Costs You?
Jeremiah 11 & 12:
Responding When People Reject Truth (& Us)
These are truly challenging times to be a believer, and while it is going to get more and more intense as this world spins closer and closer to the second coming of Christ, it’s not new.
There was a “clash” in Jeremiah’s day, too. Chapter 11.21-23:
21 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying, ‘Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, lest you die by our hand’— 22 therefore thus says the LORD of hosts. ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; 23 and there shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring catastrophe on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their punishment.’
There were people who didn’t want to hear the truth and who threatened Jeremiah. In fact, they threatened to kill him if he continued to speak God’s truth. But God said, don’t worry about them, Jeremiah; I’ll deal with them in My time and in My way.
There will be people who are not going to like it when we speak the truth, as well. They may be family members, co-workers, supervisors, friends, or enemies. We shouldn’t be surprised by this, but how should we respond?
First, we should rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5.41).
Second, we shouldn’t try to fight evil with evil. Remember, Romans 12.21 tells us:
Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
Love them. Pray for them. But don’t quit speaking the truth out of fear or intimidation (though we do need to use wisdom).
Losing Our Lives for His Sake
Especially with those closest to us, we may fear they will withhold their love or acceptance from us. Jesus talked about this struggle in Matthew 10:
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it (Matt. 10.37-39).
If you’re undergoing persecution because of your relationship with God or for speaking the truth in a world that doesn’t want to believe there is any absolute truth, you’re in good company. The disciples and other followers of Christ faced the same challenge. You might want to take some time and study that whole passage in Matthew 10.16-42.
The Praise of Men or the Praise of God
So, while we are not to be argumentative, neither should we deny the truth:
Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven (Matt. 10.32-33).
We don’t want to be like the religious leaders in Jesus’ time about whom it was said:
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (Jn. 12.42-43).
Standing for truth can be costly. Jesus was the most loving person who has ever lived, and they hated Him. But we need to remember that He was also the perfect balance of grace and truth (Jn. 1.14). We, too, must love God and love people enough that we are willing to lay down our desire for acceptance and praise and speak truth to a lost and dying world.
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 118.10-14:
Our Strength and Song
The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation (v. 14).
What a great encouragement! No matter what we are going through, we are not going through it alone or in our own strength. We are to rely on His strength so that He will be our song in the end. He is to receive all the praise and honor! As the song says:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!¹
Proverbs 27.8:
Stay Where God Has You
Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.
Where has God called you to be? Has He called you to be a stay-at-home mom during this season of your life, to a job that is boring and mundane, as a wife who must submit even though you disagree, or to a church where you’re not being used in the way you want to be used?
While there are times when we should make a change, we should be sure we have good biblical reasons.
The bird who wanders from her nest not only exposes herself, but she exposes her offspring to the enemy. Be faithful to what God has called you to do today. If we humble ourselves under His hand, He will exalt us in due season.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (Jas. 4.10).
Colossians 4.1-18:
Earnest in Prayer
Notice the references to prayer in this chapter:
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
12 Epaphras, … always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Are you earnest in prayer? John MacArthur says this is “to be courageously persistent” or “to hold fast and not let go.” Are there things for which you are being persistent in prayer or do you easily give up and entertain the idea that God doesn’t really answer prayer or, at least, He doesn’t hear your prayers?
Jesus said in Luke 18.1, “…that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” Other translations say we should not cave in or give up.
Do you labor fervently? Prayer is not always easy. If it were, everyone would do it. Sometimes prayer is hard work. Are the results you desire important enough to you that you will labor fervently?
An Awesome Privilege
What an awesome privilege we have to come to the Creator of the universe and be a part of what He is doing in the earth! Hebrews 4.14-16:
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
If you’d like to learn more about the book of Colossians, you might want to check out my series on that epistle. Here is the link to the first one, along with links to the rest of the series:
Your Thoughts:
How has God spoken to you today? Perhaps you saw a passage in a new light or an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a promise to hold on to? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about the danger of “following our hearts,” witchcraft, Halloween and conscience issues, some people’s attitudes about hell, the rapture, and ways to live like we’re expecting Jesus to come back soon, among other things.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel.
And if this post spoke to you, consider sharing it on your favorite social media platform.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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