Intimidation

by Terry Wane Benton

If you know you are speaking the truth in love, and you know God approves your message because you learned the principles you speak from God’s word, then don’t fear that people won’t approve or like you. Human approval is not the goal. God’s approval and helping broadcast His light in a dark and lost world is the goal.

Jesus was perfect, but people hated Him, who did nothing wrong and said nothing wrong. You cannot please everyone. So, don’t speak to please people. We don’t set out to offend people, but truth offends without trying to. Some people will criticize even if you were Jesus Himself.

Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of human disapproval. Think what the world would be like if Peter continued to say nothing, letting people continue to intimidate him. On the morning of Jesus’ kangaroo court trials, Peter was too intimidated to speak up for Jesus. On Pentecost (50 days later), he was through being intimidated. He spoke the needed truth. 3000 were saved.

Respecting God over human intimidation and a desire to save souls moved Peter to speak the truth in love, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The world needed him to speak up more than it needed him to keep silent. He was still not personally approved by everyone, but God was pleased, and light was now shining where there had been only darkness.

The world can sure use your light! Don’t let people intimidate you into silence! (II Timothy 1:7).