Matthew 10:16-23
"16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;
18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.
20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and [b]cause them to be put to death.
22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
23 “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes."
Be aware that the more you obey Christ, the more you wish to walk with Him, the more people will despise you. In our country the contempt comes in many forms, lying against you, refusing to work out problems, interpreting things in a way that skews reality, raging when there is no reason to rage and most of all accusing us of the very things they are doing but we are not. We can see that these are the devil working in unsaved hearts.
Ephesians 6:10-12 "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.…"
When we realize that everything we encounter with evil people is really a spiritual problem and the devil and his minions are behind it, we are better equipped to not allow it to emotionally ruin us.
Often, those who are in rebellion will interpret events in terms of their level of contempt for us. If we decline to attend an event without sharing an explanation, they will assume that we were angry, evil or demeaning, while passing that interpretation on to others as though it is fact. If we do not do the things they do or think the way they do, they will feel a sense of anger that we are not like them.
One of the most diabolical tactics of the narcissist is to choose to assume something without clear evidence to support their assertion.
Those who are in rebellion against God will make a conscious choice to see "mean" or "evil" where there is none, in order to frustrate their victim and turn others against us.
I would be surprised if any strong believer reading this has not encountered it in one way or another, if not frequently.
Another tactic is for the narcissist to rage in front of others leaving the impression that we did something wrong when there was no wrong. Sadly, this causes non-thinking people watching, to believe that we must have done something wrong to make someone that angry.
Psychology teaches the concept that people are like dogs in the Pavlov dog experiment, that they are merely reacting to stimuli. This is based on evolution and negates the diabolical nature of wicked human beings, who have the ability to deliberately and covertly act in a way that causes others to hate their victim.
The goal of the narcissist is to goad you into doing something out of control in your anger. Do not let the narc have control through their tactics. If we know how they operate we can remain calm knowing it isn't about us, but the rebellion that dwells in their heart. We always have the option of removing ourselves from them when they will not behave themselves.
God says not to worry about the response of others, evaluate only the message, to be sure you were not at fault, remain calm and unaffected by the tricky and covert narcissist and continue to speak as you are led by the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 3:15-17 "…15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.…"
1 Peter 4:13-14 "…15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.…"
