Have you ever felt like someone was rooting against you? Maybe it was a colleague who seemed to take pleasure in your mistakes, or a ‘friend’ who constantly criticized your decisions. Perhaps it was a family member who doubted your abilities or a stranger who left a hurtful comment online. Whatever the situation, we’ve all experienced the pain of having someone desire our downfall. Today, we’re going to explore what it means to face opposition from others, and how we can respond in a way that honors God.
As believers, we have the assurance that God is with us, and His love and power can overcome any challenge, including the opposition we may face from others. Let us draw inspiration from His Word:-
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
I. The Root of Opposition
A. We live in a fallen world: The origin of opposition emanates from the fall of Man and its effects are evident today. Genesis 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Man’s greatest and only enemy is the Devil.
- John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
- John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name
- Hence the root of every form or source of opposition is the principal enemy, the devil. The bible describes the devil as your adversary 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: He is always on a mission.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh
Typical example: Cain and Abel.
B. Opposition can come from various sources or forms:
1. Enemy: People who actively seek our harm or downfall. Examples include King Saul’s jealousy and the pursuit of David – 1 Samuel 18:6-9 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
And the plots against Jesus by religious leaders Matthew 26:3-4 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
2. Critics: Those who express negativity or doubt regarding our character, abilities, or achievements, like Sanballat and Tobiah opposing Nehemiah’s work Nehemiah 4:1-3 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
3. Jealousy: When others covet what we have or what we represent. Joseph’s brothers were envious of him because of their father’s favoritism, leading them to plot his downfall Genesis 37:11, 17-20 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
4. Circumstances: Life’s challenges that seem to conspire against us. Job experienced a series of calamities that resulted in immense suffering (Job 1:13-19)
II. The Assurance of God’s Presence
A. 1 John 4:4: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1. God’s Spirit within us: As believers, we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to overcome the opposition we face Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
2. God’s strength is greater: Regardless of the magnitude or intensity of the opposition, we can take comfort in the fact that God’s power surpasses anything we may encounter Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
B. Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
1. God’s favor and protection: When we have God on our side, there is no force or person that can successfully stand against us Psalm 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, They stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
2. Absolute trust in God’s plan: Even in the face of opposition, we can have confidence that God is in control and working all things together for our good Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Note: Satan in Roads: 1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, Be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
- Deception – He seeks to distort the truth and lead people astray by presenting falsehood/half-truth. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
- Temptation : James 1:14-15 but 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. Flee from every appearance of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:22
- Sowing Discord & Division: James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
III. Responding to Opposition
A. Trust in God’s plan: Rather than being consumed by the desire for revenge or retaliation, we must place our trust in God’s divine plan for our lives, like David did when faced with Saul’s persecution 1 Samuel 24:12, Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths., Jeremiah 29:11 God’s plan for your life and family can only be revealed in the place of fellowship, meditation on His word His Goodness.
B. Respond with love and forgiveness: Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Responding in love and forgiveness displays the transformative power of Christ in our lives, as exemplified by Stephen in Acts 7:60. David & King Saul – wickedness precedes from the wicked, Ephesians 4:32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
C. Focus on personal growth: Instead of allowing opposition to discourage or distract us, let us use it as an opportunity for personal growth, relying on God’s strength to become more resilient and mature in our faith, like Joseph who grew in wisdom and character despite his brothers’ betrayal Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
D. Seek wise counsel and support: Surrounding ourselves with godly individuals who can provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability is crucial when facing opposition, as seen in the relationship between David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 23:16-18 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Conclusion:
Remember that even when others desire our downfall, we have a God who is greater than any force or opposition we may encounter. We can take solace in the knowledge that His presence empowers us to overcome, and His love sustains us in the face of adversity. Let us respond to opposition with love, forgiveness, and trust in God’s plan, knowing that He works all things together for our good Romans 8:28. May we be examples of Christ’s love, even in the midst of opposition, and may His name be glorified through our lives. Amen.
