English Standard Version (ESV)
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are
zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for
righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be
troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for
the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having
a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good
behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to
suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
I thought that I
might just start reading I Peter from the beginning and work my way through the
book but as I read the history of I Peter I was drawn to a reference in the
book. So, I had to go to that verse and
see what it said. I couldn’t just read
the verse I Peter 3:15, I had to read before it and after it. As I read it I knew that this is what I was
to think about today, thus, we are looking at I Peter 3:13-17.
I Peter was most
likely written by Peter, the disciple of Jesus.
It was written to encourage those who were being persecuted for their
faith. However, more than likely, it was
not a physical abuse but rather a verbal abuse.
It has been found that verbal and emotional abuse has long lasting side
effects that cause physical symptoms for years to come. People who experience this type of abuse may
have a difficult time in making decisions, doubt themselves, have feelings or
worthlessness, have trouble communicating, among other long lasting symptoms.n
(https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/verbal-abuse/effects-of-verbal-abuse-on-children-women-and-men/)
No doubt, Peter knew this was a huge
problem during the time of this writing.
As Christians we need to have a belief that is firm, that can’t cause
doubt, where we know we are worth more to God than man would ever realize. In the early church, just as today, we need
to be able to convey a hope far beyond the understanding of mankind. If we shrink up in a ball and/or try to avoid
those who are verbally abusing us, they will never see the love of Christ. They may think they have won the battle by
beating us down but they have also lost the war.
I can relate to
this feeling. I was once a very shy
little girl that didn’t like to talk very much because I couldn’t speak very
well not because of any type of abuse. I
was a very loved little girl. By the
time I was in high school, I was still a bit shy but pretty much came out of my
shell. As an adult you would never had
thought I was shy at all. Yet as an
adult, when I have spoken my passion, at times, it has
resulted in verbal and emotional abuse, and even false accusations, and in
turn, I did not handle it with gentleness and respect. I am still learning this tool of self-control
towards those who attack my passions.
Being more gentle and kind and hoping to win them over to my side rather
than push them further away. Take note,
these attacks can be from those we thought were our friends as well as those
who never have claimed to be our friends.
We should respond the same to both.
When we treat
others the way they treat us, they learn nothing from us. When we treat others they way we want to be
treated they are more likely to either back off or join our side. I would much rather help them to the side
where they may know the God I know.
Where they can hear of the Christ who died and rose again so that they
could have life. I would rather be
Christ-like than to be Sheila-like. I
want all to know of the Savior who will come again and bring new life to those
who call upon His name.
As you go
through times of doubt because of abuse, remember your one defense, Jesus
Christ, remember to seek Him with all your heart, and remember these verses of
gentleness and self-control.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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