Taking the Difficult Stand

The topic of difficult discussions was going on during my small group at Church this last weekend, and it seemed there was some hesitation around confronting or taking a stand for Biblical principles when family or friends were concerned. Mostly this was due to the conflict that would ensue due to hurt feelings or straight out contradiction to someone's lifestyle.

While on the plane to Dallas, I was reading in Matthew, and found some very interesting verses that will hopefully encourage each of us to take this stand despite it being difficult and that it will cause conflict; not just with our families, but also friends, and co-workers...

Matthew 10:24-42 (New International Version)

²⁴"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!

²⁶"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. ³⁰And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

³²"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. ³³But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

³⁴"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
³⁶a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

³⁷"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

⁴⁰"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. ⁴¹Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. ⁴²And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

Go back and focus on vs 32-38. The Bible acknowledges that it will not be easy, and that yes this will cause conflict. But have faith! God is with you and will guide your words.

Matthew 10:18-20
¹⁸On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.


As my father in law said to me once concerning witnessing to my father, if he was in a burning building would I run in and try to save him even if he did not believe the building was burning? I would! So much more should we be willing and wanting to save our family, friends, and co-workers from the chains of bondage to sinful lifestyles and ultimately the eternal flames of hell.

So, basically, as I read Mathew 10, my mind jumped back to our small group and felt strongly led to to share what I had read. I hope it encourages each of you to take a stand the next time an opportunity comes and despite the trials that may come to encourage your family,friend, or co-worker towards what God has shown us to be the right way to live.

And as one last thing, remember of course to pray about this and all things and know that God will give you what you need to succeed!

Matthew 7:7-11 (New International Version)

⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!