If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:14-17
For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? – If we say we are not to judge, we will hit a wall with this verse.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.”
1 Corinthians 11:31
When we strive to live according to what we claim, even those who have false perceptions of us will have nothing bad to say about us (Proverbs 16:7).
“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”
1 Peter 2:19-20
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? – The Christian way is the road less traveled and for good reason. Apart from the Spirit, it is a walk laden with trials, tribulations and persecution. If one is being judged for promoting falsehood and false prophecies, being blatant about using the gospel for monetary gain, being divisive, being sexually immoral etc., it is a righteous course correction as prescribed in 1 Peter 4:17 & Titus 2:15 since these are obvious acts that bring nothing but shame and disrepute to the cause of Christ. Professing Christians who actively do what is mentioned lead many astray and Jesus has nothing but woes and indignation for such types (Matthew 23:15, Matthew 18:6).
“And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
2 Peter 2:2
God is indeed just and merciful to all, but to those who drag His name to disrepute, this is what awaits for the unrepentant,
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.”
Revelation 2:20-23
If you or someone you know have encountered a false teacher here or elsewhere, do not be partakers with them. Search the Scriptures as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). Scrutinize whether or not the one you are learning from is truly from God. We are living in the climate of rampant deception and false prophets lead you nowhere but to shark infested waters.
Do not be deceived!