How are Christians supposed to deal with negative people, atheists, naysayers and people who might attack us because of our beliefs?
Are we to carefully plan our lives so we don't create conflict or offend someone with our faith? Or should we to always be ready to engage in heated debate with any heathen foolish enough to cross us, and convince them that they will one day split the gates of hell wide open?
We find the simple answer in 1 Peter 2:15&16, which says "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."
Simply put, when you encounter resistance in this world, whether it is from a Christian hating atheist or a fellow believer, you are to continue doing the good works (well doing) associated with being a servant of God. We are not to use our liberty as Christians as an excuse to attack, demean, or tear down someone who doesn't share our beliefs.
You can see this in Jesus' life: Although the religious folks hated him, mocked him, tried to stone him, and plotted to kill him, Jesus simply went about healing, spreading the gospel and showing people God's love.
"But I can't let them get away with that!" you might say, or "Someone needs to teach them a lesson, that they can't talk to people that way." You are exactly right....but it's not your job to teach that lesson, it's God's job.
In Exodus 23:22 God says "If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you."
God also says "It is mine to avenge. I will repay." in Deuteronomy 32:35.
Let your "well doing" silence the people that are bothering you this week and don't spend another minute thinking about what they said or did to you. Just do your job, which is to serve people and show them God's love, and trust that God will take care of the rest.
Author Resource:-
Bible teacher at Sherman Full Gospel Church
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