John 8:1-6a
I have learned over the years that there are people who oppose what I believe. From guys threatening to spray me with their garden hoses to men on porches threatening to bash my head in with beer bottles to court room attorneys who mock my standards and values to social media antagonism over my doctrinal beliefs, there is no shortage of “enemies” that I have encountered over the years. That doesn’t include people who come through Emmanuel who eventually “talk behind my back” tearing down the very things that I have passionately given my life to over the years. Here’s the thing: it goes with the territory.
If you are going to truly follow Jesus, you are going to have enemies. It’s unfortunate, but it’s reality. In our story, Jesus faced people who were antagonistic toward what he was teaching. They were hypocritical religious leaders who were more interested in their power and prosperity than they were in grace and truth. So, they attempted to “trap” Jesus to hopefully remove his great influence among the people. Why would they do such a thing? It’s because they were jealous of his ever growing popularity, and he was exposing their selfish agendas.
In our story, the Jewish hypocritical leaders had already disregarded the Mosaic Law by arresting the accused woman without the man. The law required that both parties to adultery had to be present to be “stoned” (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). While the law was rarely applied in this case, nonetheless, it was the law that if one was to be punished, they both had to be punished. To be clear, the Pharisees didn’t care about either person. They cared about trapping Jesus.
So, they asked him what should be done with this woman who they brought to him. If Jesus said the woman should not be stoned, they planned on accusing Jesus of violating the very law of Moses given from God. In that case, they could say that “how could he truly be from God” while violating God’s law. If Jesus said the woman should be stoned, they planned on reporting him to the Romans (who were over the Jews) who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions (John 18:31). It’s also likely that they would have criticized him for not being a gracious teacher of God. No matter what Jesus answered, they thought they had “trapped” him as they were hopeful of getting rid of him.
Of course, Jesus would expose their selfish insincerity, and they would walk away stunned by his brilliant reply. You have to read the rest of the story, and read the next devotionals for that. For now, please realize that anytime that you are seeking to honor God and impact others for the Kingdom of God, you will receive antagonistic pushback. Sometimes, it will even come from the “house of God” as Satan uses God’s own people to cause discord, disunity, and dissension. So, what should you do? I’m glad you asked. Here are five ways to handle the pressure from others:
If you are going to truly follow Jesus, you are going to have enemies. It’s unfortunate, but it’s reality. In our story, Jesus faced people who were antagonistic toward what he was teaching. They were hypocritical religious leaders who were more interested in their power and prosperity than they were in grace and truth. So, they attempted to “trap” Jesus to hopefully remove his great influence among the people. Why would they do such a thing? It’s because they were jealous of his ever growing popularity, and he was exposing their selfish agendas.
In our story, the Jewish hypocritical leaders had already disregarded the Mosaic Law by arresting the accused woman without the man. The law required that both parties to adultery had to be present to be “stoned” (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). While the law was rarely applied in this case, nonetheless, it was the law that if one was to be punished, they both had to be punished. To be clear, the Pharisees didn’t care about either person. They cared about trapping Jesus.
So, they asked him what should be done with this woman who they brought to him. If Jesus said the woman should not be stoned, they planned on accusing Jesus of violating the very law of Moses given from God. In that case, they could say that “how could he truly be from God” while violating God’s law. If Jesus said the woman should be stoned, they planned on reporting him to the Romans (who were over the Jews) who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions (John 18:31). It’s also likely that they would have criticized him for not being a gracious teacher of God. No matter what Jesus answered, they thought they had “trapped” him as they were hopeful of getting rid of him.
Of course, Jesus would expose their selfish insincerity, and they would walk away stunned by his brilliant reply. You have to read the rest of the story, and read the next devotionals for that. For now, please realize that anytime that you are seeking to honor God and impact others for the Kingdom of God, you will receive antagonistic pushback. Sometimes, it will even come from the “house of God” as Satan uses God’s own people to cause discord, disunity, and dissension. So, what should you do? I’m glad you asked. Here are five ways to handle the pressure from others:
- Brace for it. It’s coming. Don’t be surprised when it comes. God is with you, and anything worth accomplishing for God is going to be challenged by those who don’t have the heart of God.
- Respond, not react. Don’t fight fire with fire. In other words, people are watching how you are handling disgruntled people. Be firm but be kind. Be truthful but be merciful.
- Count the cost. Some people are not worth your energy. You have much to do for God, and if you give your time in pointless arguments and debates, it only takes away from your ministry.
- Be careful. We live in a dangerous world. People are looking to tear down those who follow God. They demand tolerance, yet they are intolerant of the truth. Protect your integrity.
- Always pray. God is the defender of your life. You don’t need to be consumed with “answering all of the doubters.” Go to God, and trust that his will be done despite the antagonists.
Posted in Devotional