Text- Philippians 1:28 – “Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”
The devil is a master at trying to dominate, manipulate and intimidate. When you get born again, you are set free from the domination of satan, but then he will stop at nothing in trying to manipulate and intimidate you.
Interestingly, the world has learnt the craft of intimidation from their father, the devil. However, God’s message to us is that we must never be intimidated by them.
I like how AMPC renders John 14:17,
“Peace I leave with you; my [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”
The world has a way of making believers feel like we are prudes and social misfits all because we would not dress, talk, behave etc. like they do. But we must not permit ourselves to be intimidated by them.
The fact that we refuse to participate in the sinful things that goes on in this world doesn’t make us misfits. Remember, we are in this world, but we are not of this world, so we must dare to be different; and do so confidently, without any iota of shame.
Jesus said to the disciples in John 15:19, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you”
So then beloved, don’t be intimidated by people’s ill opinions about you because of your stand for righteousness. Don’t let a wayward girl intimidate you because you have chosen to keep yourself pure. Don’t let a fraudster intimidate you because you have chosen to make an honest living
You must recognize who you are in Christ, and the hope that is set before you. When you understand this, nobody will be able to intimidate you for your stand for truth. According to our text, your confidence itself is enough conviction for the world, so don’t ever lose it.
Let today’s text keep ringing in your mid as you go about glorifying God with your life today, “Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”
PRAYER
I refuse to be intimidated by the world. Lord, grant me the grace to be confident as I daily please you with my life in Jesus Name.