Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The key word here is, "falsely." If we are living our lives as though Jesus were our King, it will inspire some to talk smack about us. It is inevitable. The key here is that this smack be false. That the problem others have with you is nothing of which God would require you to repent.
Too many live foolishly and then attribute their persecution to godliness because they happen to be a Christian when the shade being thrown at them is in no way related to their devotion to Jesus, but rather entirely a result of their own sinful pride or arrogance.
Do not rejoice or be glad if you are being reviled because of your sin. If that is you, repent and be free. Rejoice and be glad that forgiveness is offered to sinners who repent. And then live a life of godliness in Christ and then when you are persecuted, remember that it's a blessing to be so associated with Jesus as to be criticized and persecuted as others did Him.
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