Read: Matthew 10:16-20 NLT – “Look, I am sending you out as sheep – Bible Gateway
“When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:19-20 NLT
The world is increasingly becoming more hostile towards Christians both in word and deed. Here in the United States legislation has been passed over the years to stifle the voice of Christianity, while other faiths are left to be or even promoted. Many countries around the world suffer not only the same anti-Christian laws but are suffering violently under physical persecution.
Jesus warned His disciples as he sent them to preach the gospel, “But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.” (Mt.10:17-18 nlt) Jesus doesn’t guarantee us a trouble-free Christian life. Jesus was hated while He walked the earth and He is still hated today. The world hated Him then and the world hates us now. But the Lord promises never to leave us or forsake us. His Holy Sprit is always with us leading us all the way.
We are told not to worry as to what we will say when those days of persecution come upon us. Jesus tells us that God through the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say in that hour. It is a comfort to know we can count on the Lord God during these days of persecution. Perhaps you are one who have had such an experience, or a member of your family. Let us all pray for those today who are under heavy persecution for their Christian faith across the world. May they discover the peace on earth from that baby who left heaven’s glory to save us and to help know what to say.
Word for the Soul 
Thanx for reminding! I am from ex-soviet union, i became a believer during the period of collapse. I met some christians who had been in faith for long years before. Two of them testified being interrogated by authorities and testified that indeed it works as in the Scripture your blog cited.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. May God bless you.
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I wonder, Loring, if persecution is increasing and ramping up or if we are just able to report on the atrocities more readily since we have better tools at our disposal? It’s not like Christians haven’t been persecuted before now. They have, historically, through the centuries been maligned. Perhaps it’s different now that it’s at our front door, at our doorstep, rather than a far-off place? Anyways, I appreciate that you’ve given me something to think about my friend. Excellent post and wake up call.
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Yes Rainer, you are correct. At our doorstep brings a different perspective As far back as Saul, before Paul, Christians have been persecuted. What’s different in our age is the subtle ways to stifle the spreading of the gospel. Satan knows his time is running out.
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I agree, Loring. The tools and methods may have changed but the end result is still the same. Which, I guess, is comforting because we know how the story ends.
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