And They Malign You

[Christsfreeservant]

“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:1-5 NASB1995)​

When Jesus Christ gave himself up for us on that cross, it was to put our sins to death with him so that, by faith in him, we will now die to sin and surrender our lives to him to be lived for his glory and purposes, in obedience to his commands in holy living. No longer are we to live under the control of sin and the flesh, doing what our sinful hearts desire, for Jesus died and rose from the grave so that we will now die to sin and live for him.

For our salvation from sin is deliverance from slavery (addiction) to sin so that we will no longer live as slaves to sin. And Jesus is saying to us, “Go and sin no more.” No longer should we be engaging in things like lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, sensuality, sexual immorality, the lusts of the flesh, drunkenness, revelry, and abominable idolatries of any kind. Sin must no longer have mastery over our lives, for Jesus died to free us from all that.

But if we are those who have died with Christ to sin, who have been raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin, but as servants of God and of his righteousness, we are likely to be faced with criticism, rejection, mockery, disapproval, and oppositions of many kinds from various sources. And we may be falsely accused of being legalistic or prideful because we refuse to compromise with the world.

But we should not fear the opposition and people maligning us for our walks of faith in obedience to our Lord. But we must stay the course and keep on in obedience to our Lord in going wherever he sends us in saying whatever he gives us to say and in doing what he has called us to do, regardless of how we are received by other humans. For Jesus said we would be persecuted as he was persecuted, and hated as he was hated, too.

So, be encouraged. Keep following the Lord. Keep doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord in following him where he leads you even if people oppose you and say all manner of evil against you. Keep obeying the Lord, and do not get disheartened and discouraged if it seems more people are against you than are for you. Stand up for what is right even if no one else does who is around you. For you must answer to God, not to human flesh.

And then pray for those who are opposed to you and who criticize you for your walk of faith in obedience to the Lord. Pray for them, and do good to them, and love your enemies as God loves you, and forgive those who do you harm. Don’t let the opposition or the nasty remarks dishearten you, but stand firm on your faith and keep pressing forward even when it hurts. Believe God and rest in his promises and leave all to his command.

[Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 10:16-39; Matthew 24:9-14; Luke 6:22-23; Luke 21:12-17; John 15:18-21; John 17:14; Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-17; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Hebrews 12:3-12; 1 John 3:13; Revelation 6:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 11:1-3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 14:1-13]

His Tender Mercies

An Original Work / January 26, 2014
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Fear not! I’m with you.
Be not dismayed!
God watches o’er you.
Trust Him today.
He’ll lead and guide you;
Give you His aid.
He’ll love and keep you
With Him always.

Walk in His footsteps.
He’ll lead the way.
Trust in His love;
Believe that He cares.
He will not leave you.
Faithful He’ll be.
His tender mercies
Now you will see.

Fellowship with Him
Throughout the day.
Tell Him your heartaches.
He’ll heal always.
Rest in His comfort.
He is your friend.
Your faith He’ll strengthen,
True to the end.

And They Malign You
An Original Work / October 31, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love