A Bible study on persecutions, temptations and chastisements

As a born-again Christian, there are three areas you need to know about. The first is persecutions. As you go forth in faith to do the work of the Lord, people will persecute you. They may call you names and try to make you feel bad. They may threaten to kill you and make false accusations against you. Second, temptations will come. People may tempt you to do things which God’s Word says not to do. You will be tempted of your own lusts. You may want a TV, but you cannot afford it. Your lusts prompt you to go into debt and buy it any way, even though God’s Word says, OWE NO MAN-Ro 13:8. James tells us, MAN…IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED-Ja 1:14. Third, you will be chastened of God. Your faith will be tested to see if it is genuine. The world may seem like it is about to cave in on you. God wants you to trust in Him. He wants you to wait patiently on Him to solve your problems.

When you begin living the way God wants you to, persecutions may come from your friends, husband or wife, parents, sisters, and brothers. Nevertheless, God’s Word tells us, BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE CONCERNING THE FIERY (painful) TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU: BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS…IF YE BE REPROACHED (insulted) FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE...YET IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN, LET HIM NOT BE ASHAMED-1 Pe 4:12-14,16. WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER-Ro 8:36. MARVEL NOT, MY BRETHREN, IF THE WORLD HATE YOU-1 Jn 3:13. Jesus tells us, IF THE WORLD HATE YOU, YE KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE IT HATED YOU. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU...BUT ALL THESE THINGS WILL THEY DO UNTO YOU FOR MY NAME’S SAKE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW NOT HIM THAT SENT ME-Jn 15:18,20,21.
Jesus was persecuted. As it is written, WHEN THEY HURLED THEIR INSULTS AT HIM, HE DID NOT RETALIATE; WHEN HE SUFFERED, HE MADE NO THREATS-1 Pe 2:23 NIV. Jesus was crucified, RAISED FROM THE DEAD...(and Paul tells us), THIS IS MY GOSPEL, FOR WHICH I AM SUFFERING EVEN TO THE POINT OF BEING CHAINED LIKE A CRIMINAL-2 Tim 2:8,9 NIV. As Paul preached the Word, THE JEWS STIRRED UP THE "DEVOUT AND HONORABLE WOMEN," AND THE "CHIEF MEN" OF THE CITY, AND RAISED PERSECUTION AGAINST PAUL AND BARNABAS-Acts 13:50. Note that Satan used honorable men and women, such as public officials, police, the mayor, and city officials to bring persecution. You can expect the same. Moses chose RATHER TO SUFFER AFFLICTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD, THAN TO ENJOY THE PLEASURES OF SIN FOR A SEASON. BY FAITH HE FORSOOK EGYPT, NOT FEARING THE WRATH OF THE KING-Heb 11:25,27.

As you go forth witnessing for Jesus, Satan may bring persecutions against you through relatives, strangers, even from religious leaders. Satan may, eventually, use the police, public officials, or the IRS (tax collectors) to try to stop you. WHEN THEY (the religious leaders) HAD CALLED THE APOSTLES, AND BEATEN THEM, THEY COMMANDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SPEAK IN THE NAME OF JESUS. What was their reaction to being beaten? THEY DEPARTED...REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME. Did they stop teaching Jesus? AND DAILY...THEY CEASED NOT TO TEACH AND PREACH JESUS CHRIST-Acts 5:40-42.
When you have received Jesus as your Saviour and begin living as God’s Word commands, you can expect to suffer. However, many who call themselves Christians are really hypocrites. They profess Jesus, but, in reality, they are illegitimate sons. The Bible tells us what happened to the Hebrews. It is written, REMEMBER THOSE EARLIER DAYS AFTER YOU HAD RECEIVED THE LIGHT (received Jesus), WHEN YOU STOOD YOUR GROUND (endured) IN A GREAT CONTEST IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING. SOMETIMES YOU WERE PUBLICLY EXPOSED TO INSULT AND PERSECUTION; AT OTHER TIMES YOU STOOD SIDE BY SIDE WITH THOSE WHO WERE SO TREATED. YOU SYMPATHIZED WITH THOSE IN PRISON AND JOYFULLY ACCEPTED THE CONFISCATION OF YOUR PROPERTY, BECAUSE YOU KNEW THAT YOU YOURSELVES HAD BETTER AND LASTING POSSESSIONS-Heb 10:32-34 NIV. CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE-Heb 10:35.

The Bible tells us, FOR UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN IN THE BEHALF OF CHRIST, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE ON HIM, BUT ALSO TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE-Phili 1:29. But praise God, IF WE SUFFER, WE SHALL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM: IF WE DENY HIM, HE ALSO WILL DENY US-2 Tim 2:12. WE MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Acts 14:22 NIV. NOW...YE ARE IN HEAVINESS (grief) THROUGH MANIFOLD (all kinds of) TEMPTATIONS (trials)-1 Pe 1:6. Yet we are to rejoice. Jesus tells us, IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION (trouble)-Jn 16:33. YEA, AND ALL (note the word all) THAT WILL LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION-2 Tim 3:12. But Jesus exhorts us to BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD-Jn 16:33.
Within the same household, as one seeks to live by the Bible, other family members may ridicule and accuse him. They may say he is going overboard. Woe unto those, who do such things, for Jesus will have the final word at the judgment. The Bible warns, if you love the world or the things therein, the love of the Father is not in you. WE ARE MADE A SPECTACLE UNTO THE WORLD...WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST’S SAKE....EVEN UNTO THIS PRESENT HOUR WE BOTH HUNGER, AND THIRST, AND ARE NAKED, AND ARE BUFFETED (brutally treated), AND HAVE NO CERTAIN DWELLING PLACE...BEING PERSECUTED, WE SUFFER IT-1 Cor 4:9-12. WE ARE TROUBLED ON EVERY SIDE, YET NOT DISTRESSED; WE ARE PERPLEXED, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; PERSECUTED, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED....WE FAINT NOT...FOR OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION, WHICH IS BUT FOR A MOMENT...-2 Cor 4:8,9,16,17. If you choose to live as God wants you to, you will suffer. Paul tells us, IN ALL THINGS APPROVING OURSELVES AS THE MINISTERS OF GOD, IN MUCH PATIENCE, IN AFFLICTIONS, IN NECESSITIES (hardships), IN DISTRESSES, IN STRIPES (beatings), IN IMPRISONMENTS, IN TUMULTS (riots), IN LABORS (hard work), IN WATCHINGS (sleepless nights), IN FASTINGS (hunger)...AS DECEIVERS, AND YET TRUE; AS SORROWFUL, YET ALWAYS REJOICING; AS POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH; AS HAVING NOTHING, AND YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS-2 Cor 6:4,5,8,10. FOR YE SUFFER...REPROACH (shame), AS THOUGH WE HAD BEEN WEAK-2 Cor 11:20,21. Paul suffered greatly. He was, perhaps, the greatest example of Christ who has ever lived in the last 2000 years. Paul writes, ARE THEY MINISTERS OF CHRIST? (I SPEAK AS A FOOL) I AM MORE; IN LABORS MORE ABUNDANT (I have worked much harder), IN STRIPES ABOVE MEASURE (been flogged more severely), IN PRISONS MORE FREQUENT, IN DEATHS OFT (exposed to death again and again). OF THE JEWS FIVE TIMES RECEIVED I FORTY STRIPES SAVE ONE. THRICE (three times) WAS I BEATEN WITH RODS, ONCE WAS I STONED, THRICE (three times) I SUFFERED SHIPWRECK, A NIGHT AND A DAY I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEEP (the open sea); IN JOURNEYINGS OFTEN (I have been constantly on the move), IN PERILS (danger) OF WATERS, IN PERILS OF ROBBERS, IN PERILS BY MINE OWN COUNTRYMEN, IN PERILS BY THE HEATHEN, IN PERILS IN THE CITY, IN PERILS IN THE WILDERNESS, IN PERILS IN THE SEA, IN PERILS AMONG FALSE BRETHREN (false brothers, false Christians)-2 Cor 11:23-26. I HAVE LABORED AND TOILED AND HAVE OFTEN GONE WITHOUT SLEEP; I HAVE KNOWN HUNGER AND THIRST AND HAVE OFTEN GONE WITHOUT FOOD; I HAVE BEEN COLD AND NAKED. BESIDES EVERYTHING ELSE, I FACE DAILY THE PRESSURE OF MY CONCERN FOR ALL THE CHURCHES-2 Cor 11:27,28 NIV.

When we are down, we turn to Jesus for help. Thus, we may say, WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG-2 Cor 12:10. God’s Word tells us to ENDURE HARDNESS (hardships), AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS-2 Tim 2:3. TAKE, MY BRETHREN, THE PROPHETS, WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, FOR AN EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING AFFLICTION, AND OF PATIENCE-Ja 5:10. LET THEM THAT SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD COMMIT THE KEEPING OF THEIR SOULS TO HIM IN WELL DOING (in doing good)-1 Pe 4:19. THE LORD SHALL DELIVER ME (that’s you) FROM EVERY EVIL WORK-2 Tim 4:18. RESIST (the devil) STEADFAST IN THE FAITH, KNOWING THAT THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD-1 Pe 5:9. BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. BLESSED ARE YE, WHEN MEN SHALL REVILE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SHALL SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY, FOR MY SAKE-Mt 5:10,11. FOR I RECKON THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US-Ro 8:18.

In addition to being persecuted, even unto death, we shall also be chastened of the Lord. Through chastening (correction) He leads us in the path of righteousness and teaches us. AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN-Rev 3:19. MY SON, DESPISE NOT THOU THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN THOU ART REBUKED OF HIM: FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH, AND SCOURGETH EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVETH. IF YE ENDURE CHASTENING, GOD DEALETH WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS HE WHOM THE FATHER CHASTENETH NOT? BUT IF YE BE WITHOUT CHASTISEMENT, WHEREOF ALL ARE PARTAKERS, THEN ARE YE BASTARDS, AND NOT SONS (if you are not chastened of the Lord, then you are not saved). FURTHERMORE WE HAVE HAD FATHERS OF OUR FLESH WHICH CORRECTED US, AND WE GAVE THEM REVERENCE: SHALL WE NOT MUCH RATHER BE IN SUBJECTION UNTO THE FATHER OF SPIRITS, AND LIVE? FOR THEY VERILY FOR A FEW DAYS CHASTENED US AFTER THEIR OWN PLEASURE; BUT HE FOR OUR PROFIT, THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS. NOW NO CHASTENING FOR THE PRESENT SEEMETH TO BE JOYOUS, BUT GRIEVOUS: NEVERTHELESS AFTERWARD IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO THEM WHICH ARE EXERCISED THEREBY-Heb 12:5-11.
Should the Lord be angry and correct us, HIS ANGER ENDURETH BUT A MOMENT; IN HIS FAVOR IS LIFE: WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING-Ps 30:5.

To avoid being deceived, we are to BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR-1 Pe 5:8. For we know that SATAN...DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD-Rev 12:9.

    Many people, WHEN THEY HEAR (the Bible), RECEIVE THE WORD WITH JOY...WHICH FOR A WHILE BELIEVE, AND IN TIME OF TEMPTATION FALL AWAY-Lk 8:13. Nevertheless, God gives us hope and assures us that THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT-1 Cor 10:13. Jesus was IN THE WILDERNESS FORTY DAYS, TEMPTED OF SATAN-Mk 1:13. We are to COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS; KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE-Ja 1:2,3. How are we tempted? THE CARE (or worries) OF THIS WORLD tempt us and may keep us from doing God’s will, reading the Bible, and going to church. THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES may keep us from doing God’s will, reading the Bible, and going to church-Mt 13:22. THE LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS can also be used to keep us from obeying the Word, reading our Bible, and going to church-Mk 4:19.
   James tells us, EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED. THEN WHEN LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH-Ja 1:14,15. What other things have kept you from obeying the Gospel, reading your Bible, and going to church? Have you given in to the PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE-Lk 8:14, which ENTERING IN, CHOKE THE WORD-Mk 4:19, and BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION?-Lk 8:14. What pleasures of this life have choked the Word of God in you? and caused you not to do God’s will, not to read and obey the Gospel, and not to go to church? Was it stubbornness? which is as the sin of idolatry.
   It is written, THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS, AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED: BUT CHIEFLY THEM THAT WALK AFTER THE FLESH-2 Pe 2:9,10. As a born-again Christian, we are to be conformed to the image of Jesus; our lives are to be a reflection of Jesus-ref Ro 8:29. We are not to be conformed to this world-ref Ro 12:2. Are you led astray by things like TV, newspapers, pleasures, entertainment, parties, illicit sex, smoking, drugs, alcohol, and even filthy language? What will Jesus say to you at the judgment? Will He say, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY?-Mt 7:23. Jesus suffered in all ways as we do. Nevertheless, He overcame all temptations.
   The Bible tells us, He was IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN-Heb 4:15. FOR IN THAT HE HIMSELF HATH SUFFERED BEING TEMPTED, HE IS ABLE TO SUCCOR (or help) THEM THAT ARE TEMPTED-Heb 2:18. BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM-Ja 1:12.

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