Let not those who are wrongfully my foes rejoice over me; neither let them wink with the eye who hate me without cause. For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful matters against those who are quiet in the land.~ Psalm 35:19-20

It’s not a pretty fact, but one reality in this life, is that you will have enemies. King David had many adversaries because of his anointing. It’s as if he had a target on his back that read “Hey everyone I’m anointed! Feel free to show your contempt!”

It stinks to realize many people just won’t care for who you are. Whether it is for the way you look, the way you talk, or what you believe, there will always be someone fighting against what God has placed in your heart and who He has made you to be. Often times, if you go against our current “politically correct culture,” you will find opposition.

Many young people call them “haters,” but they are simply hurting individuals who use the differences they see in you, as an invitation to tear down your distinction.

The most unfortunate of all the “hater clan” is the Christian hater.

It’s one thing to have the world hate on you for not cursing like them, not gossiping like them, and not acting as foolishly as they do (assuming of course that you don’t).

But it’s yet another thing to be cast out by other believers.

Now, I’m not trying to be a “Debbie Downer” here, but this is a concept many believers think about often, but may not know how to deal with Biblically.

It’s a bit confusing at first, for sure… when you are trying to obey God and you see other believers become more and more frustrated with you because of your choices.

I am by no means an expert on the matter, but I have most definitely learned a few things along the way that I hope will help you as well.

#1 Pray

Judging the actions of another Christ-follower is simply ridiculous without true compassion – no one but God has a clue what is in another person’s heart, even if you can physically see their actions (John 7:24). Everyone has a story.

You may not know what pain that believer has been through to cause them to be the way that they are. So I have learned, at the first sign of judgment in your heart, SIMPLY PRAY!!!

Many people choose prayer as a last resort, but I’ve seen it move mountains in the spirit that I could never have nudged with my own will power. It can soften a heart, open eyes, and cause change to occur without you ever speaking a word.

#2 LOSE THE PRIDE

Let not the foot of pride overtake me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.~ Psalm 36:11

If God leads you to confront a fellow believer about the way they have treated you, your heart MUST be in the right place whether you are correct in your perspective or not.

If you are angry or have begun to look down on other believers for compromising, slow your roll for a moment and check yourself. No one is perfect, and to pretend that believers never make mistakes is foolish.

You are never any better than any other Christian, you have simply learned to mature in a certain area a little faster than they have. All they might need is a little guidance and truth presented to them with MERCIFUL words. Don’t be afraid to shed light on darkness (something the devil does not want you to do), but never forget, without the Grace of God, you could be doing the same thing.

#3 Be NATURAL

Once you have #1Prayed for them and #2 Lost your Pride, it is now time to deal with the outcome of your confronting.

Sometimes as believers, once we’ve made the leap to tell a Christ-follower that God does not approve of the way they are acting, we shun that believer for hurting us in the first place.

This should not be so. Once you have confronted them, the love you once poured out on them should remain.

Unfortunately our tendency is to place our believing friends in the same category as the “world,” once we see them compromise. We begin to avoid them or interact with them as little as possible… Think about it.

What if God avoided us after we messed up? What if he said, “Yah, you’re forgiven and all, but REALLY?”

Redirect your natural tendency. Maybe your friend is struggling through something. Maybe you cannot be “besties” right now or maybe even ever, but you can ALWAYS show love.

Continue to pray that your words of truth and God’s heart for them would become a reality in their life and treat them the way you would like to be treated.

As Joyce Meyer says, “We are not Holy Ghost Jr.” It is not up to us to change or fix people, that is a job reserved only for the Lord. We must simply remain in peace acting as we would any day of the week- with TRUTH of course, but also with UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

Catch the Wave,
Victoria