I have some wonderful memories from high school, my final year in particular. But I also have some hurtful memories, in particular my third and fourth year when I was adjusting to life in Scotland having just moved from Zambia. I felt lonely a lot of the time and I definitely felt like the odd one out. One thing I found difficult was the R.E lessons and there were a couple of lessons in particular that I remember because they basically turned into Christianity mocking sessions. I didn’t really know how to respond at the time, but I remember how I felt – it was horrible.
Maybe this is your experience of high school. Maybe your biology teacher makes a blanket statement about your belief in God as Creator being foolish and anti-science; maybe your friends ask you questions, not to know the answers but to poke fun at your beliefs. Whatever your circumstances may be, being at school can be tough when people know that you’re a Christian. So how should you respond when you are at the receiving end of this? Let me start with highlighting a couple of ways in which you might be tempted to respond which are not helpful.
Tempted to hide your faith
I wish I could tell you that I braved the mocking and stood up for what I believed in, but that was not the case. I decided to hide my faith for pretty much most of high school to ‘survive’ and fit in. I was in effect ashamed of the gospel to put it blankly (Luke 9:25-26). And you may be tempted to do this too, but I want to encourage you that even if it’s hard, the Christian hope and message is good and true and worth standing up for. In fact, what is happening to you is nothing unusual if you bear the name of Christ.
As a Christian, you should expect opposition, insults and mockery because you follow a Saviour who was also mocked, ridiculed and ultimately nailed to a cross to die for you. Jesus reminds you that: “a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). So don’t be ashamed of the gospel, in fact Jesus says you should respond with joy because of the security of eternity which you have. There may be pain now but it won’t be forever, glory awaits you and that should encourage you to keep going (Matthew 5:10-11; Revelation 2:8-11; Acts 5:41)
Tempted to go on the attack and be argumentative
If one temptation is to respond in cowardice and hide, the other is to respond in anger and defensiveness. This is a natural human reaction – when you feel attacked, you feel the need to fight back. But if you are a Christian, then the manner in which someone has spoken to you does not justify a sinful response back to them. In a counter-cultural sermon on the mount starting in Matthew 5, Jesus gives an insight into the ‘Kingdom of God’.
Those that are part of God’s Kingdom do not seek vengeance, they do not respond to attacks with more attacks. They love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. The Christian belongs to Christ and as part of this new Christ given identity, as Christ works in them they are to put off anger, malice and slander and put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:1-14). So the next time you are about to unleash your argument to destroy someone, remember to take a back step, give your answer with gentleness and respect to the other, remembering that you are not called to win arguments but people.
So how can you respond?
- Be wise in what you respond to – Not being ashamed of the gospel does not mean that you have to respond to every single comment made. Sometimes people are willing to listen and other times they are not really interested. Pray for wisdom to know when to let things go or when to respond seriously.
- Ask questions – If questions are being fired at you, you don’t have to be on the defensive all the time. The person or people asking the questions also have beliefs and if they are mocking you for yours, ask them what they believe. I have more videos on this on my Instagram page on IGTV.
- Be respectful – As mentioned above, sometimes people make bad arguments that you can easily dismantle but 1 Peter 3:15 reminds you that the way you speak is just as important as what you say, not just for the hearer but very often other people listening into the conversation. They are watching too whether you realise it or not, so what will they see when they listen into your conversations?
- Don’t do it alone – You may be the only Christian in your friendship group or in your year but you are not alone. Look for help and support from Christian friends, Church family, youth leaders and your parents. Ask them for their wisdom in navigating difficult conversations, ask them to pray with you and for you. God has not left you to fight the Christian life on your own and these communities are his means of grace to keep you and to sustain you. And he himself will hear you, you can cry out in prayer to him anytime.
It’s hard sometimes, but keep on keeping on! He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.
