What to Do When People Criticize Your Faith (Part 2)

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing God’s Approval Over Human Disapproval

Life’s unavoidable truth is that someone will always oppose you. But approval that fades in eternity holds no weight compared to God’s unwavering affirmation. When faced with criticism, the choice becomes clear: live for fleeting human praise or eternal divine favor. Suffering for righteousness plants seeds of eternal reward, while compromise erodes integrity. The world’s disapproval loses its sting when anchored to the One whose opinion outlasts time. [00:26]

“Do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:12–13, ESV)

Reflection: When have you stifled your convictions to avoid criticism? How might shifting your focus to God’s eternal approval free you to live boldly?

Day 2: Satan’s Pawns and the Unseen Battle

Opposition often wears a human face, but its roots dig deeper into spiritual warfare. People who ridicule or pressure believers are unwitting tools in Satan’s hands, manipulated to derail God’s purposes. Recognizing this truth transforms how we engage conflict: not against flesh and blood, but against the accuser who hates God’s children. This perspective breeds compassion, not bitterness, for those trapped in the enemy’s schemes. [02:49]

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might be acting as a “pawn” of spiritual opposition? How could praying for them shift your response from frustration to spiritual warfare?

Day 3: Silent Suffering and Entrusting Justice to God

Jesus faced lies about demonic possession, drunkenness, and rebellion yet never defended Himself. His silence wasn’t weakness but radical trust in the Father’s justice. Retaliation hands control to opponents, but quiet endurance mirrors Christ’s power. When slandered, believers inherit the paradoxical victory of the cross: apparent defeat becomes eternal triumph through surrendered trust. [06:46]

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23, ESV)

Reflection: What current injustice tempts you to retaliate? How might entrusting it to God’s justice cultivate Christlike character in you?

Day 4: Overcoming Evil with Good: The Counterintuitive Call

The world expects tit-for-tat retaliation; Christians are called to nuclear-grade grace. Blessing persecutors disarms spiritual strongholds, turning enemies into seekers. This isn’t passive tolerance but active warfare through love—the very weapon that conquered the cross. Every returned insult with kindness declares Satan’s tactics powerless against resurrection life. [17:53]

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27–28, ESV)

Reflection: Who most tests your ability to love unconditionally? What specific good could you do for them this week as spiritual warfare?

Day 5: Suffering as God’s Will and Eternal Gain

Not all pain is punishment—some sufferings are sacred assignments. Like a refiner’s fire, God-ordained trials burn away superficial faith, leaving unshakable Christlike character. These moments test what we value most: comfort now or rewards stored where moth and rust cannot destroy. The faithful embrace temporary pain, knowing eternal glory outweighs every momentary affliction. [13:38]

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” (1 Peter 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What current hardship might God be using to deepen your eternal capacity? How could viewing it as sacred training shift your perseverance?

Sermon Summary

Somebody’s disapproval is going to show up no matter what a person does, so the wisest thing is to do what God likes instead of spending life chasing what people like. The logic is plain: if suffering and opposition cannot be avoided, then suffering for doing the right thing is better than suffering for doing the wrong thing.

The pressure to cave in does not really come from co-workers, political parties, competitors, or people who do not like a Christian. Revelation 12:10 names Satan as “the accuser of the Christians,” and that means his job is to put God’s children down. Satan hates God, hates what God created, and especially hates God’s children. Satan cannot hurt God directly, so Satan goes after the children, because the quickest way to hurt a parent is to hurt the kids.

Ephesians 6:12 says the real fight is not against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces. That truth changes the way opposition is handled. Second Timothy says to stay away from stupid and senseless arguments, to be kind to everyone, to be patient with the opposition, and to correct with humility because people have been trapped by the devil. The opposition may be loud, cruel, or unfair, but those people are often pawns who do not even know what they are doing.

Jesus shows the pattern. Jesus was lied about, insulted, called names, accused of being demonized, and treated as a threat. First Peter says when insults were hurled at him, Jesus did not retaliate, and when he suffered, he made no threats. Jesus “said nothing back,” content to let God set things right.

The call to refuse retaliation goes deeper than not striking back. Romans 12 says never pay back evil with more evil, and, as far as it depends on the believer, live at peace with everyone. Reaction gives control to the person doing the poking. Hatred hands over the keys.

First Peter 4 says some suffering is “according to God’s will.” Common suffering comes to everybody, carnal suffering comes from sinful choices, and Christian suffering comes because God is more interested in character than comfort. The faithful response is to commit the matter to the faithful Creator and continue to do good.

The hardest mark of courage is blessing the one who hurts. Jesus says to love enemies, do good to those who hate, bless those who curse, and pray for those who hurt. The choice finally becomes clear: popularity on earth or the smile of God.

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Key Takeaways

1. Disapproval cannot be escaped Somebody will dislike a faithful life, and somebody will dislike a compromised life. The question is not whether disapproval will come, but whether it will come for obeying God or pleasing people. Eternity makes people-pleasing look small, because human approval cannot survive the grave. [00:12]
2. The real enemy is unseen Opposition may have a human face, but the deeper source is spiritual. Satan accuses, pressures, and uses people as tools, often without their knowing it. A Christian who sees the real battle can stop treating people as the ultimate enemy and start responding with Jesus-shaped mercy. [00:47]
3. Retaliation hands over control Reaction feels powerful in the moment, but it gives control to the person who did the poking. Hatred lets another person manage the heart from the outside. Refusing revenge is not weakness, it is the strength to let God judge justly. [10:04]
4. Some suffering forms character Not all suffering comes from personal sin, and not all suffering is meaningless. Christian suffering can be part of God’s will because God is more interested in character than comfort. The faithful path is to commit the pain to the faithful Creator and keep doing good. [13:38]
5. Blessing enemies reveals courage Refusing to retaliate is hard, but blessing the one who hurts goes even deeper. Jesus calls his followers to love enemies, do good to haters, bless cursers, and pray for wounders. That kind of response can turn public attackers into private seekers.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - Recognizing the Source of Opposition
[02:23] - The Unseen Spiritual Battle
[04:05] - Avoiding Stupid and Senseless Arguments
[06:29] - Jesus Refused to Retaliate
[08:51] - Never Pay Back Evil
[10:04] - Reaction Gives Control Away
[13:38] - Suffering According to God’s Will
[14:46] - Common, Carnal, and Christian Suffering
[17:05] - Responding With a Blessing
[20:51] - Enough Evidence to Convict
[23:14] - Popularity or the Smile of God
[24:47] - Prayer for Courage and Faithfulness

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:23
“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” [06:41]

Romans 12:17-18
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” [08:58]

Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” [02:58]

1 Peter 4:19
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” [13:38]

Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” [18:24]

Revelation 12:10
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’” [01:27]

2 Timothy 2:23-26
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” [04:09]

Observation questions

In 2 Timothy 2:23-26, what kinds of arguments and attitudes are believers told to avoid, and what positive qualities are they told to show instead? [04:09]
According to 1 Peter 2:23, how did Jesus respond when he was insulted and when he suffered?
In Romans 12:17-18, what two commands are given about responding to evil and living with other people? [08:58]
What three kinds of suffering are described, and how is each one different from the others? [14:46]

Interpretation questions

Ephesians 6:12 says the struggle is not against flesh and blood. How does that change the way a believer sees a difficult co-worker, critic, family member, or public opponent? [02:58]
1 Peter 2:23 says Jesus entrusted himself to the One who judges justly. What does that reveal about why a believer can refuse retaliation without pretending that evil is acceptable? [06:41]
Romans 12:17-18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” What does that sentence suggest about both the limits and the responsibility of a believer in conflict? [09:16]
1 Peter 4:19 connects suffering, trust, and continuing to do good. Why is “keep doing good” such an important part of the response when suffering does not go away quickly? [16:22]

Application questions

Somebody’s disapproval is going to come either way. Where is the strongest pull right now to seek human approval instead of doing what God likes—at work, in family life, online, or somewhere else? [00:12]
Reaction gives control away. What kind of comment, person, or situation tends to “poke” most easily and pull the heart into anger, defensiveness, or revenge? What would it look like to keep that control in God’s hands this week? [10:04]
Some opposition comes through people who may not even realize they are being used in a deeper spiritual battle. Is there a strained relationship where seeing the person as trapped rather than as the ultimate enemy would change the response? [05:25]
Refusing retaliation is one step, but blessing the one who hurts goes further. What might “doing good,” “blessing,” or “praying” look like in one real relationship where there has been hurt? [18:24]
Some suffering is common, some is brought on by sinful choices, and some comes from following Christ. Is there a hard situation right now that needs honest naming? What kind of suffering does it seem to be, and how does that shape the response? [14:46]
Entrusting the matter to the faithful Creator means letting God be the defender. Where is the strongest temptation right now to defend, explain, or clear one’s name instead of quietly continuing to do good? [16:38]
Popularity on earth or the smile of God is a real choice. In everyday life, where is courage needed to speak truth with love instead of staying silent to avoid disapproval? [23:14]

Sermon Clips

You're not ready to live until you know what's worth dying for. You got to decide, what am I willing to lay it on the line for? What is more important to me than even life itself? What is worth dying for? Until you know that, you're not ready to live. Jesus paid a price for you. And he says there's a price to be paid for following him. [00:22:25]

But not all suffering is from sin. The Bible says sometimes suffering is Christian. It's not carnal. It's common. It's Christian. It's suffering according to the will of God because God is more interested in your character than your comfort. You're not taking comfort to heaven. But you are taking your character. And in heaven, you're going to have comfort the rest of your life. [00:16:00]

This is what makes Christians different from everybody else on the planet because nobody else does this. Number six, when I'm persecuted, when I'm harassed, when I'm oppressed, respond with a blessing. What? Yeah, you return good for evil. You not only refuse to retaliate, there are a lot of people who will refuse to retaliate. But the Bible says if you're going to be a follower of Jesus, you actually do good to those who do bad to you. You bless those who hurt you. [00:17:01]

Now, it says those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to God, the faithful creator, and just keep on doing good. So, you throw this arrow at me, you throw that arrow at me, you throw another arrow at me, I'm just going to commit myself to God and continue to do good. I entrusted to God. I lay it in his hands. You need to let God be your defender and not waste time defending yourself. And that takes faith. And when you do that, God smiles. [00:16:22]

If you're going to suffer, if you're going to have people who oppose you, if you're going to have people's disapproval, you may as well have the disapproval for doing the right thing rather than the wrong thing. That's just logic because somebody's going to disagree with you no matter what you do. You can't avoid disapproval. [00:00:28]

Those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good." Now, there's something really important here. Circle the phrase according to God's will. You're not going to hear this in some places, but this is what the Bible says. Some suffering is God's will. those who suffer according to God's will. Sometimes suffering is God's will. [00:13:32]

Anytime I react, I give control to that person. Anytime I react to somebody who's poked me, I give control to that person. And you don't want to do that. You don't want to give up control. And so, you can't control what other people do, but you can control your reactions. [00:09:59]

You are most like Jesus Christ when you don't strike back at somebody who's hurt you. You're most like Jesus when you don't attack back and somebody who has attacked you with a personal insult or threat or statement or gossip or whatever. [00:07:21]

Have you ever said, "You make me so mad." You just then admitted who's in control. Not you. They are. When you say, "You make me so mad." You say, "I don't want to be mad. I really don't want to be mad, but you make me mad." You have the power to control my emotions. Oh, really? Then you're a pretty weak person. [00:12:18]

1 Peter 2. When they hurled their insults at him, Jesus did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threat threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to God who judges justly. Look at this verse on the screen. I love this in the message. It says this. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. [00:06:38]

Second Timothy 2, stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble. God's servants must never quarrel. Instead, be kind to everyone, including the opposition. And be patient with the opposition. And be humble when you correct people who oppose you. They've been trapped by the devil and he makes them obey him, but God may help them escape. [00:04:09]

Never pay back evil with more evil. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Now, you know what I love about the Bible? It always tells the truth. And what it tells there is if it's possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. There's some people you just can't live at peace with. [00:08:58]

Recognize the source of the opposition. And it's Satan. It's not other people. It's not other pe. It's not co-workers. It's not some other political party. It's not some other nation. It's not some other religion. It's not some competitor. It's not some person who just doesn't like you. The real source of the pressure you feel to cave in, to not have integrity, the pressure you feel to to be quiet and to not stand up for what you know is the right thing. That pressure is not coming from other people. It's really coming from Satan. [00:00:47]

And there is an unseen spiritual battle going all around you. And this pressure to make your life miserable and to make you cave in and to keep you from doing the right thing, it's not coming from other people really. You got to look beyond that. They're just pawns. They're just tools. They're just weapons and a lot of times they don't even know. Most of the time they don't even know they're being used. [00:02:34]

We're not fighting against human beings. Which is why you don't win this in the ballot box. We're not fighting against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. [00:03:01]

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