When the Gospel Meets Resistance

When we follow God and try to move forward with the gospel, sometimes we may be surprised that opposition still comes. We may think that if God has called us to do something, then everything should go smoothly. However, when we look at Scripture, we can see that this was not always the case.

The apostle Paul experienced spiritual opposition many times as he traveled from place to place preaching the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul said that “a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” There was an open door, but there was also opposition at the same time. Paul also mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 that Satan had hindered him from visiting the believers. Even while Paul was obeying God and doing the work of the gospel, he still experienced resistance.

I think this is important for missionaries and ministry leaders to remember. Opposition does not always mean that we have missed God. Sometimes we can be exactly where God has called us to be and still face difficulty.

Jesus Himself also experienced spiritual warfare. Before He began His public ministry, He was led into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil for forty days. The enemy attacked His identity as the Son of God, His physical weakness, and His trust in the Father. Jesus overcame the temptation by standing on the Word of God.

During His ministry, Jesus also constantly encountered sickness, demonic oppression, rejection, unbelief, and opposition. Yet He continued to preach the Kingdom of God, heal the sick, cast out demons, and obey the Father.

This does not mean that every difficulty we experience is a direct spiritual attack. Sometimes there are practical problems that need practical solutions. Sometimes there are misunderstandings, cultural differences, or mistakes that we need to take responsibility for. Sometimes God may also be using difficult circumstances to grow our character, patience, and dependence on Him.

However, Scripture also teaches us not to be unaware of spiritual opposition.

John Dawson wrote that “any effective ministry is going to be the subject of satanic attack.” He explained that some of the enemy’s tactics are accusation and deception. The enemy especially wants to attack believers and Christian leaders because accusation can bring discouragement, fear, division, and confusion.

This is why it is so important that when opposition comes, we do not immediately turn against one another.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” People are not our enemy. Even when there are disagreements, rejection, misunderstanding, or difficult relationships in ministry, we need to remember that we are still called to walk in love.

Sometimes the enemy would like us to become distracted from the gospel by making us fight with one another.

When difficulties come, one of the first things we can do is return to God in prayer. We can ask Him, “Lord, what are You doing in this situation? Is there something You want me to learn? Is there something I need to change? Is there spiritual opposition that I need to stand against in prayer? How do You want me to respond?”

Prayer helps us to move from fear into discernment.

We do not need to assume that every closed door means the enemy has stopped us. At the same time, we also do not need to assume that every open door will be easy. Paul experienced both open doors and opposition together.

For missionaries, this is especially important. There can be moments when language barriers, cultural differences, finances, relationships, visa situations, health challenges, or ministry disappointments can make us question whether we are still in God’s will. These moments can be very discouraging.

But sometimes faithfulness looks like continuing to obey God even when the road becomes difficult.

We may not always understand what is happening around us, but we can continue to stand in what God has spoken. We can continue to pray. We can continue to love people. We can continue to forgive. We can continue to preach the gospel. We can continue to trust that God is working even when we cannot yet see the breakthrough.

Spiritual warfare is not about becoming afraid of opposition. It is about remaining faithful to Jesus in the middle of it.

When the gospel meets resistance, we do not need to panic. We can remember that Jesus has already overcome the enemy. We can ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, stand firm in prayer, stay united with other believers, and continue to move forward in obedience.

Sometimes the resistance is real, but so is the grace of God.

And the presence of opposition does not mean that God is absent.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, when we face resistance, help us not to become discouraged or afraid. Give us wisdom to know what is spiritual opposition, what is a practical problem, and what You may be teaching us through the situation. Guard us from accusation and division, and help us to keep loving one another. Strengthen missionaries and ministry leaders who are facing difficulties today. Give them courage, endurance, wisdom, and fresh hope to continue moving forward with the gospel. Amen.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 16:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Matthew 4:1–11; Ephesians 6:12.

Reference: John Dawson, Taking Our Cities for God: How to Break Spiritual Strongholds.