RAISING GODLINESS IN A HOSTILE WORLD

Date: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 

Title: RAISING GODLINESS IN A HOSTILE WORLD

2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 5:10

At salvation, you were not only called to follow Jesus, you were also enlisted to raise the standard of godliness wherever you find yourself. The moment you decide that you will be like God in your words, habits and choices, you have signed up for persecution. The Bible says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). There are people who will tell you that you are taking Christianity too far simply because you refused to lie, cheat or dress like the crowd. Some of that persecution will come from human beings who are offended that you no longer fit their description of a normal person. If you do not understand this, you will interpret every resistance you meet as a sign to lower your standard instead of seeing it as proof that you are on the right path.Godly living is not a gift that falls on you, it is a decision you make every day, and that decision has consequences. When you decide that you will talk like a Christian in your family, some relatives will pick offence. When you decide that you will run your business honestly, colleagues who cut corners will persecute you because your life is silently rebuking them. If you will be fruitful this year, you must make up your mind that you will always raise the standard of godliness, not reduce it to keep people happy.Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” That means Heaven is watching how you respond when persecution comes because of your stand. Some women come to church every Sunday after a tongue lashing at home from an unbelieving husband, yet they lift their hands and rejoice before the Lord. Another sister with a born again husband is still grumbling because he did not wait for her to tie a particular headgear before leaving the house. Who is really serious with God between the two? Sometimes God will even allow a bit of persecution to wake you up from spiritual softness so that you toughen up inside. In this new year, refuse to hide your light just to blend with the crowd. Decide that in your dressing, your speech, your work attitude, your money and your relationships, you will quietly raise the standard of godliness, and as you abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit will use every pressure and persecution as tools to grow you into a fruitful, overcoming Christian.THOUGHT TO PONDER: Where am I quietly lowering the standard of godliness in order to avoid persecution or please people? What practical decisions must I take today to raise God’s standard in my home, work and church?

Prayer: Lord, strengthen my heart to choose godliness even when it attracts persecution. Help me to raise Your standard in every area of my life and turn every pressure to fruitfulness, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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