Topical Bible: Persecution: Men by Nature Addicted To

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Persecution, as a concept, is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is often portrayed as a natural inclination of humanity in its fallen state. The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings that illustrate how persecution arises from the sinful nature of mankind, which is often in opposition to the righteousness and truth of God.

Biblical Instances of Persecution

From the earliest accounts in Scripture, persecution is evident. Cain's murder of Abel is a prime example of how jealousy and sin lead to the persecution of the righteous. Genesis 4:8 states, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." This act of violence was driven by Cain's resentment towards Abel's favor with God, highlighting the natural human tendency to oppose those who are righteous.

The prophets of the Old Testament frequently faced persecution for their messages. Elijah, for instance, was pursued by Jezebel after he defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 19:2-3). Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern for his prophecies (Jeremiah 38:6), and Daniel was cast into the lion's den for his unwavering faithfulness to God (Daniel 6:16).

New Testament Teachings on Persecution

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself was the ultimate target of persecution, culminating in His crucifixion. He warned His followers of the inevitability of persecution, stating in John 15:18-20 , "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well."

The early church experienced significant persecution, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death for his testimony (Acts 7:59-60). The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was a zealous persecutor of Christians, as he himself recounts in Acts 22:4 , "I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison."

Theological Insights on Persecution

Theologically, persecution is understood as a manifestation of the spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "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." This struggle often results in the persecution of those who stand for God's truth.

Persecution is also seen as a means of refining and strengthening the faith of believers. James 1:2-4 encourages Christians, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Conclusion

While persecution is a natural inclination of humanity in its opposition to God's righteousness, it serves a greater purpose in the divine plan. It is both a test and a testimony of faith, revealing the steadfastness of believers and the enduring power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 4:29
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter i
... from these causes, without any general persecution being denounced ... Men have a natural
veneration for antiquity, especially ... and which were of a nature to engage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i.htm

Saint Helena and the Time of Constantine
... Of the time immediately preceding the persecution of Diocletian ... in a suitable manner
the extent and nature of the ... Christ, was honored among all men, both Greeks ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iv saint helena and the.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... men of that city, and raised persecution against him ... The men of Lystra were addicted
to idolatry, in ... this passage, that the contemplation of nature should be ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... beset Christians is permitted only to prove something; persecution shows, as ... loyalty
and paying taxes, etc., but to all men; human nature is dishonoured ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

The Gnostics, the Montanists, and the Manichaeans.
... But all men are not in a state of equal ... he seems to have strangely misapprehended
the nature of the ... save themselves by flight in times of persecution; and he ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the gnostics the.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... world, and drew upon their friends ridicule and persecution. ... from the established
order of nature, to patronise ... mind; to acknowledge before all men, that what ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with ...
... Wherever men have power they use it to bring ... expression to one sad "touch of nature
that makes ... Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter iv but we must.htm

1 Cor. Ii. 1, 2
... against Paul, but infirmity of human nature; and it ... such a Gospel, in their chains
and persecution overcame their ... Let your light so shine before men," saith He ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vi 1 cor ii.htm

The Blossoming Desert.
... their adversaries, even though they be men of education ... he had been called to suffer
persecution for Christ's ... for a few months, their spiritual nature only just ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vii the blossoming desert.htm

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... set each animal to that for which it is by nature fitted; so ... 1008] [Good will to
men made emphatic. ... As soon as persecution ceased, we find the Christian hospital ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm