Intimidation…

How many times have you allowed yourself to be intimidated by others because of your faith? Honestly, I can answer quite of few times in my past. Either being a teacher and having that “it’ll cost you your job if you witness here” mentality, or “don’t offend or I’ll lose business” thoughts, I’ve faced them. I get it. But there comes a time in our life when we have to make the decision “is Jesus Lord of my life?”. If He is Lord, then we have no choice but to share with others the hope we have. We cannot continue to hold inside and refrain from sharing the Answer to the world’s problems. As Jesus said (my paraphrase), “we can fear man who can kill the body then do no more, or we can fear God, Who can kill the body and cast our souls into Hell”. We have a choice. The one thing I’ve realized is that intimidation is life fear. The word conjures up more than what actually happens. It’s used more to manipulate than actually cause harm. Instead of looking at it’s evil potential, try to look at it as a test. It’s an opportunity God is giving us to share the Good News. It’s the solution to man’s problem. It’s exactly what a hurting soul needs to hear. That’s why Satan uses intimidation to stop us from doing it. Yes, if you lose your job, and that is a possibility, but maybe your job isn’t what you’re supposed to be doing. Maybe God has better for you. The only thing I know is the older I get the bolder I get when it comes to my faith. Maybe it’s because I’m into God’s word every day, or maybe He’s rewarding me for trusting Him. All I know is I’m less intimidated now than I was in the past. I know truth is powerful. And I know most people don’t know what I know. So with that said, it’s easier to speak and share Jesus to others. I know His power will overcome any obstacle in my path. I know being empowered by His Spirit allows me to do more than I could ever do on my own. And I know it’s His purpose for every single person on this earth to be given the chance to know Him. So with all of that, I don’t see intimidating practices as powerful and effective as I once did. Speaking boldly, overcoming intimidation, is a sign to the intimidators that if they continue trying to silence truth, they will end up suffering for it, and it’s a sign that truth speakers are saved. Seek God daily. Trust Him. And ask Him to empower us with His Spirit so when intimidation comes, it won’t prevent you from speaking truth (with gentleness and respect), giving this wonderful gift of grace to someone desperately seeking answers and searching for hope. Intimidation comes straight from the devil. And he knows he is a defeated foe.

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God Himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:27-30