Opposition, to God’s person and work

Targets of opposition from evil forces

The Lord himself

Ps 2:1–3; Heb 12:3

See also Is 63:10; Ac 7:51; Re 17:14

God’s people

Acts 8:1–3 LEB

And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering house after house, he dragged off both men and women and delivered them to prison.

See also Nu 16:1–3; 2 Sa 16:5–8; Es 3:6; Je 18:18; Ac 26:9–11; 2 Ti 4:14–15; Re 13:7

God’s work

1 Thessalonians 2:2 LEB

but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, just as you know, we had the courage in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

See also Ezr 4:4–5; Ne 4:7–8; Ac 4:18; Ac 13:8; 1 Co 16:9

Sources of opposition

The world

John 15:18–19 LEB

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.

See also Jn 17:14; 1 Jn 3:13

The flesh

Galatians 5:17 LEB

For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that whatever you want, you may not do these things.

See also Mt 26:41; Ro 7:23

The devil

1 Peter 5:8 LEB

Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

See also Zec 3:1; Mt 13:38–39; Re 2:10; Re 12:4; Re 12:7; Re 12:9; Re 12:13; Re 12:17

Strategies used in opposition

Shows of strength

Jdg 6:5; 1 Sa 17:10–11; 2 Ki 6:14

Discouraging propaganda

2 Kings 18:19–22 LEB

Then the chief advisor said to them, “Please say to Hezekiah: ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: “What is this confidence that you trust? You think only a word of lips, ‘I have advice and power for the war.’ Now, on whom do you trust that you have rebelled against me? Now, look! You rely on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt, which when a man leans on it, it goes into his hand and pierces it! So is Pharaoh the king of Egypt for all who are trusting on him! But if you say to me, ‘On Yahweh our God we trust,’ is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed, and he had said to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘In the presence of this altar you shall bow down only in Jerusalem?’

See also Re 13:4–6

Surprise

Ge 39:11–12; Ps 10:8–9; Ps 64:4

Seduction

Mt 4:9; 1 Jn 2:15–16; Re 2:14; Re 2:20

Deceitfulness

Jude 4 LEB

For certain men have slipped in stealthily, who were designated long ago for this condemnation, ungodly ones, who change the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.

See also Nu 31:16; 1 Sa 18:17; Ne 6:1–2; Ro 16:18; 2 Co 11:13–15; 2 Jn 7; 2 Jn 8; Re 19:20

Sustained pressure

Ge 39:10; 1 Sa 1:6–7; 2 Ki 6:25; Ne 6:4

Motives for opposition

Jealousy

1 Samuel 18:9 LEB

So Saul was watching David with suspicion from that day onward.

See also Ps 106:16–18; Mt 27:18; Ac 5:17–18; Ac 13:45; Ac 17:5

Troubled conscience

John 7:7 LEB

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I am testifying about it, that its deeds are evil.

See also Is 30:10; Ac 26:14; 1 Jn 3:12; Re 11:10

Vested interests

Ac 16:19; Ac 19:24–27

No just cause

Ps 69:4; Jn 15:25

Dealing with opposition

Being prepared

2 Pe 3:17; 2 Co 10:4

See also Mk 13:9; Jn 16:1–4; 1 Pe 4:12

Keeping a right perspective

2 Ki 6:15–17; Ne 4:14; Ro 8:31

Prayer

Nehemiah 6:9 LEB

for all of them sought to frighten us, saying, “their hands will not do the work.” And now, God, strengthen my hands.

See also Ne 4:4; Lk 18:7; Ac 4:23–24

Patience

2 Timothy 2:25 LEB

correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,

Prudence

Jdg 8:1–3; Pr 15:1; Ac 22:25; Ac 23:6; Ac 25:11; 2 Co 6:3

Perseverance

1 Co 15:58; Php 1:27–28; 1 Pe 5:9; Re 1:9; Re 13:10; Re 14:12