To the Persecuted

I pause for a moment in my thoughts to consider what the Lord may ask of me in the coming days. I am amongst the persecuted. I consider how a soldier has to prepare, for what he will be asked to carry out in battle. How he needs to intentionally gird himself to prepare, to overcome fleshy fear.

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:4-5 NASB® 1995

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:10-20 NASB® 1995

“Resist”: Strong’s: The word “Resist” is the Greek word anthistémi (436), which means to resist, to oppose, to withstand
- HELPS Word-studies: 436 anthístēmi (from 473 /antí, "opposite/against" and 2476 /hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, take a complete stand against, i.e., a "180 degree, contrary position"; (figuratively) to establish one's position publicly by conspicuously "holding one's ground," i.e., refusing to be moved ("pushed back").
  436 /anthístēmi ("oppose fully") means to forcefully declare one's personal conviction (where they unswervingly stand); to keep one's possession; ardently withstand, without giving up (letting go). [436 (anthístēmi) was a military term in classical Greek (used by Thucydides, etc.) meaning "to strongly resist an opponent" ("take a firm stand against").]
“Stand firm”: Strong’s: The word “Stand firm” is the Greek word histémi (2476), which means to stand, to set, to establish, to place
- Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: 2. metaphorically, b. to stand ready or prepared: with a participle, Ephesians 6:14.
“Girded”: Strong’s: The word “Girded” is the Greek word perizónnumi (4024), which means to gird, to gird about, to fasten garments with a belt
- Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: with truth as a girdle, figuratively equivalent to ‘to equip oneself with knowledge of the truth,’ Ephesians 6:14

As I sought the Lord about what to share to encourage the Body of Christ in the days to come. The Lord gave me this verse in 2 Timothy 1:7 about overcoming fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NASB® 1995

“Timidity”: Strong’s: The word “Timidity” is the Greek word deilia (1167), which means timidity, cowardice, fearfulness
“Power”: Strong’s: The word “Power” is the Greek word dunamis (1411), which means power, strength, ability, might, miracle
- HELPS Word-studies: 1411 dýnamis (from 1410 /dýnamai, "able, having ability") – properly, "ability to perform" (L-N); for the believer, power to achieve by applying the Lord's inherent abilities. "Power through God's ability" (1411 /dýnamis) is needed in every scene of life to really grow in sanctification and prepare for heaven (glorification). 1411(dýnamis) is a very important term, used 120 times in the NT.
“Love”: Strong’s: The word “Love” is the Greek word agapé (26), which means love
- HELPS Word-studies: 26 agápē – properly, love which centers in moral preference. So too in secular ancient Greek, 26 (agápē) focuses on preference; likewise, the verb form (25/agapáō) in antiquity meant "to prefer" (TDNT, 7). In the NT, 26 (agápē) typically refers to divine love (= what God prefers).
“Discipline”: Strong’s: The word “Discipline” is the Greek word sóphronismos (4995), which means self-discipline, sound mind, self-control
- HELPS Word-studies: Cognate: 4995 (a masculine noun derived from 4998 /sṓphrōn, "truly moderate") – properly, safe-minded, issuing in prudent ("sensible") behavior that "fits" a situation, i.e., aptly acting out God's will by doing what He calls sound reasoning (used only in 2 Timothy 1:7).

As His followers, we are not to have a “spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” When it speaks of “love,” we know this means God’s definition of love, which is located in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

It is our duty as His followers—entrusted with the true Gospel—to boldly live out His commandments in obedience in every area of our lives, just as the disciples in Acts did. Because of this, we will face persecution. During persecution, you may be tempted to turn away from the Word of God or from fellow disciples of Jesus to escape the pressure. I am writing to encourage you to carefully examine what the Scriptures say about doing this.

Some may feel intense pressure to walk away from a group of faithful disciples and settle for what makes them or those around them comfortable. But in doing so, you must consider whom you are really walking away from. No matter what is happening in your life at this moment, I encourage you to resolve in your heart that you will not walk away simply to relieve pressure.

We must understand that walking away from Jesus’ obedient followers is the same as walking away from the Lord Jesus Himself, because they are His body. We cannot renounce His obedient disciples, blend into cultural Christianity, and assume that He will be pleased with us.

I’m writing this to God’s people to save them from becoming “lost.” I am writing this to encourage myself in the Lord. I have had to examine my heart more deeply each day and call out sin in my midst, bringing truth even if it makes me the enemy of those who once called me their friend or “loved one.”

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
2 Timothy 1:8-9 NASB® 1995

I encourage you to carefully consider these verses and honestly examine your heart. Ask yourself what your true thoughts and intentions are as a disciple of Jesus. Then earnestly seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal what He sees in your thoughts and intentions. Ask Him to expose any weakness in your thinking and to prepare you to stand firm in times of persecution.

I have seen many walk away when they are persecuted. Mark 4:16-17 tells us this will happen, but my prayer is that those reading this will prepare their hearts for that day and remember this encouragement.

In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.
Mark 4:16-17 NASB® 1995

“Affliction”: Strong’s: The word “Affliction” is the Greek word thlipsis (2347), which means Tribulation, Affliction, Distress, Persecution
- HELPS Word-studies: 2347 thlípsis – properly, pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that "hems someone in"; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, "without options").
  2347 /thlípsis ("compression, tribulation") carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is "no way of escape" ("hemmed in"). [By contrast, 4730 (stenoxōría) focuses on the external pressure exerted by circumstances.]
“Persecution”: Strong’s: The word “Persecution” is the Greek word diógmos (1375), which means Persecution
- HELPS Word-studies: Cognate: 1375 diōgmós (from 1377 /diṓkō, "follow, pursue") – properly, pursuit (chase); persecution – literally, "the hunt to bring someone down like an animal," trying to suppress (punish) their convictions.
  1375 /diōgmós ("religious persecution") literally refers to those seeking to punish God's messengers with a vengeance – like a hunter trying to conquer (obliterate) someone as their "catch." [1375 (diōgmós) is used in ancient and biblical Greek for persecution (hostility) shown by confused, spiritual "leaders." For example, it applies to the Roman Emperor, Decius (ad 250-251). He killed thousands of Christians who refused to offer sacrifices in his name.]

I pray that as you read these scriptures that you allow them to do a perfect work in you.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:12-13 NASB® 1995

Being a Disciple of Jesus Costs Your Life

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
1 John 2:23-24 NASB® 1995

“Denies”: Strong’s: The word “Denies” is the Greek word arneomai (720), which means to deny, to disown, to reject
- HELPS Word-studies: 720 arnéomai – properly, deny (refuse); hence, contradict, refuse to affirm or to confess (identify with); disown (repudiate).
“Confesses”: Strong’s: The word “Confesses” is the Greek word homologeó (3670), which means to confess, to acknowledge, to agree
- HELPS Word-studies: 3670 homologéō (from 3674 /homoú, "together" and 3004 /légō, "speak to a conclusion") – properly, to voice the same conclusion, i.e., agree ("confess"); to profess (confess) because in full agreement; to align with (endorse). [3670 /homologéō ("confess") means to speak the same thing, i.e., "assent, agree with, confess, declare, admit" (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 120).]

“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
“Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Luke 14:26-35 NASB® 1995

“Hate”: Strong’s: The word “Hate” is the Greek word miseó (3404), which means to hate, detest, abhor
- HELPS Word-studies: 3404 miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e., to renounce one choice in favor of another. Luke 14:26: "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (3404 /miséō, 'love less' than the Lord) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (NASU). [Note the comparative meaning of 3404 (miséō), which centers in moral choice, elevating one value over another.]
“Possessions”: Strong’s: The word “Possessions” is the Greek word huparchó (5225), which means to exist, to be, to possess
- HELPS Word-studies: 5225 hypárxō (from 5223 /hýparksis, "under" and 757/arxō, "begin, go first") – properly, already have (be in possession of); what exists, especially what pre-exists, i.e., is already under one's discretion (note the prefix hypo).

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
Mark 10:29-30 NASB® 1995

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
John 15:18-20 NASB® 1995

“Persecuted”: Strong’s: The word “Persecuted” is the Greek word diókó (1377), which means to pursue, persecute, chase, press forward
- HELPS Word-studies: 1377 diṓkō – properly, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch (prize). 1377 (diṓkō) is used positively ("earnestly pursue") and negatively ("zealously persecute, hunt down"). In each case, 1377 (diṓkō) means to pursue with all haste ("chasing" after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend).

Rejecting the Word of God

It is very important to understand that what we just read is Jesus speaking. These words are for all of His disciples, not just a select few in that moment. We should not read the words He spoke and think, “That has nothing to do with me.” If you are preaching the gospel according to Scripture, you will be hated. This is a fact, not an opinion. Jesus spoke it; it is truth.

He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
John 12:48 NASB® 1995

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:26 NASB® 1995

We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:6 NASB® 1995

You can not simply believe that you love God so you are going to heaven. God has guidelines for us to live by and He expects us to live by them.

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:10 NASB® 1995

Loving the Brethren Gives Us Confidence

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 NASB® 1995

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:1-3 NASB® 1995

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
1 John 4:7-21 NASB® 1995

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world⁠—our faith.
1 John 5:1-4 NASB® 1995

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
1 John 5:14-15 NASB® 1995

“Confidence”: Strong’s: The word “Confidence” is the Greek word parrésia (3954). which means boldness, confidence, openness, plainness
- HELPS Word-studies: 3954 parrhēsía (from 3956 /pás, "all" and rhēsis, "a proverb or statement quoted with resolve," L-S) – properly, confidence (bold resolve), leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously).

We know that God’s love does not look like the world’s love. This is another way in which persecution comes. These verses speak of living a life like Christ and not being afraid. They also show us that walking away from disciples of Jesus because of persecution for what they stand for is walking away from God.

Blessed are the Persecuted

These verses encourage me to keep enduring. I pray they encourage you as well.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12 NASB® 1995

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Timothy 2:8-13 NASB® 1995

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12 NASB® 1995

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:15-26 NASB® 1995

I am learning the cost of choosing obedience and becoming like Him, no matter what. I am learning to be led by the Holy Spirit, even when it looks like foolishness to those around me. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to suffer and endure, just as He did. We cannot do this without His help. This is why He sent us a Helper.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
John 16:13-15 NASB® 1995

I pray that I pass my test, and I pray that you do as well.

References:

Strong’s Greek/Hebrew: Biblehub.com
Edited 2/2026
Posted 2/2026