Have the Courage to Maintain Your Faith

May. 23, 2018 | By Creflo Dollar

Have you ever faced peer pressure and had to make a deliberate effort to stand up for what you believe? Many of us have done so at one time or another and we remember how it feels to be belittled or rejected for doing the right thing. Having the courage of our convictions may be painful at the time, but this type of strong commitment to the truth pleases God. Losing a few “fair-weather” friends because of our belief is nothing compared to what we gain.

It’s easy to take the path of least resistance if it means being popular and well-liked. Our choices get more difficult when the general consensus leans toward something we know is wrong and we have to make a decision whether to follow or take a stand. Others may be watching us to see what we do in certain situations. When we realize that if we make the wrong choice we could be a stumbling block to others, the stakes are raised. “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, NLT).

Regardless of our age, there will be times when it’s hard to have the moral courage to maintain our faith. We can expect challenges because there are demonic forces in the world opposing us on our Christian walk, which is precisely why we must continue moving forward. The world doesn’t know Jesus, so walking in His footsteps can sometimes mean being received the same way He was. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18, NKJV). The persecution we face can come in many forms, but if we choose to stick by our faith we know it will come. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

However, we can be encouraged knowing that God will never leave us in the midst of persecution, no matter what it seems like at the time. When we persevere in doing what’s godly and right in His eyes, we maintain our self-respect and keep a clear conscience. “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:16). When we’ve done nothing wrong, any evil that others speak of us will return to the speaker.

Knowing we’re doing the right thing can be its own reward, and this clear conscience is actually a blessing from God. Those who exclude us for our faith know deep down in their hearts that what they’re doing is wrong; this results in fear and a guilty conscience for them. God loves us enough to keep us free from this kind of fear when we put Him first. “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. ‘Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets’” (Luke 6:22, 23, NIV).

Nothing worthwhile is easy, but God has ways of working things out for the best for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Whatever hurt we feel now is only temporary. God will always honor us when we honor Him, in this life and in the next.

A Faith That Leads to Thanksgiving

By Creflo Dollar

Read more

How to Respond to The Promise-WED

How to Respond to The Promise-WED

Read more