Jesus Said This Would Happen - John 16

Throughout the entire Bible, everyone who was fully devoted to God and was doing something God called them to do faced opposition. So when YOU are doing your best to walk faithfully with the Lord and do what He has called you to do, YOU WILL face opposition, YOU WILL have tribulation. Consider it confirmation, because Jesus said this would happen. Knowing something will happen, and then it actually happens, are two different things. It might catch you off guard for a moment, but don’t be surprised! Don’t let it overwhelm you; have the right attitude about this stuff because Jesus overcame it, so we can too. It’s a guarantee that you won’t like how it feels, and you’ll have to process your emotions, but return to peace.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

You will face tribulation, and many of us might be familiar with that verse, but earlier in the chapter, Jesus told His disciples what people would do out of ignorance. Don’t let this make you stumble and second-guess yourself! Too late! Even now, I’m thinking about the times I’ve reacted to some challenging situations, and I did not respond like I knew God. The tribulation/suffering did make me stumble, it did make me second-guess if I was on the right path. Then I remembered, Jesus said this would happen. See, that's why reading the Bible is so important. Everything we need to live a God-centered life is there. Everything about life is there. What we experience in different areas of our lives is more than what we can see; it’s a spiritual thing, so we cannot react naturally. Spiritual warfare is real. You are more powerful than you know, and that’s why people are more irritated with you than they can explain! That’s why people have to come together to try to “humble” you, dim your light, try to discourage you, try to shut you up, try to shut you out, spread lies, and twist your words to add their own meaning. Most of us have experienced this just trying our best to live for God and do what He’s called us to do. 

John 16:1 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 

People act the way they do because they don’t know God as well as they think they do. They may know that what they are doing is wrong, but they don’t know how wrong they are, because they wouldn’t do it if they knew. Think about some of the risks you used to take as a child. You knew it was a risk and it had an element of danger, but you didn’t know how dangerous it really was until you grew up and realized you really could’ve hurt yourself. As a believer, you never stop growing up. The Holy Spirit continues to mature you. The Holy Spirit gives power, wisdom, and strength; it reveals the heart of God, the mind of God, His principles, His ways, and your ways. He reveals to you all things - including when you are wrong. Sometimes, it’s a hard thing for people to admit they were wrong, and they don’t know God as well as they think they do. But when you have the Holy Spirit, you can overcome opposition, even the kind that comes from yourself. When you have the Holy Spirit, you can suffer well, you can handle hard things.

Jesus basically tells His disciples, in this same chapter, that He wants to tell them so much more, but they can’t handle it right now. But when the Holy Spirit comes, they will have the strength to handle it. Today, as disciples of Jesus, we have the strength to handle it! We have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us, helping us navigate conflict, difficult conversations, and situations. Our part is to yield to the Holy Spirit, because God is always speaking, giving us counsel on how to respond to ignorance. 

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

So let’s lean on the Holy Spirit and not repay evil for evil. Let’s lean on the Holy Spirit that gives us strength to keep quiet when we're being provoked or antagonized.  Let’s lean on Holy Spirit-filled community, people who are going to give us godly wisdom. Remember, they don’t know God the way they think they do if they are telling you to crash out and do things opposite of how Jesus lived. We need a Holy Spirit-filled community that will pray with us and for us. 

I have made up my mind to take care of what I can take care of and let God take care of the rest. I trust God and as much as it depends on me, I'm going to be at peace with all men. I'm going to do my part. I might be feeling some type of way, but the feeling that I'm going to return to is peace. Because Jesus said this would happen. 

Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Listen, I love me some justice. I grew up a middle child, so I know when something is off, and I have to resist the urge of expressing when things aren’t “fair” all the time.  A lot of us know when the vibes are off, when things aren’t right, and people are purposely trying to get you to act out of character (the way they already think you act). But we actually have to trust God and leave it in the hands of the one who always judges fairly. We don’t have to fight every battle, choose them wisely.

1 Peter 2: 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

So let that be the feeling that you return to when you face opposition. Let peace reign because God sees all things, knows all things, and He's with us through all things. So lean on Him. Let Him give you peace because He overcame it all, and we can too.

Jesus Said This Would Happen.

Reflection Questions 

What can I learn about the suffering/opposition I’m facing? What is it revealing about me? 

What steps can I take to return to peace when I face challenging situations?

Do I have a Holy Spirit-filled community to lean on? 

Declarations

I will trust God to handle injustices and leave cases in God's hands while doing my part to pursue peace with others.

I will lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength to remain peaceful and not repay evil for evil when provoked.

I will respond to opposition like a mature believer. I know God.