Key Take Away: When we scripturally respond to harsh and unfair treatment by an authority, God will bless us and promote us.


Let’s look at 4 key things:


1. By fearing the Lord in the unfair treatment

a. The authorities being referred to here in 1 Peter 2:13-20, are the government, with all its laws and regulations (1 Peter 2:13-17) and for our purposes, employer /employee relations (1 Peter 2:18-30).


b. “When we are mistreated and continue to be a good worker, student, civilian, church member, etc., this honor at its highest. It takes the fear of the Lord in our hearts to continue to treat as valuable those who have mistreated us.” – John Bevere page 47


c. In other words “honor originates from the heart and is an overflow of the fear of the Lord.” – John Bevere page 57


d. “We Americans tend to say to authorities, “You will have to earn my respect before I can honor and submit to you.” However, according to the prophet Isaiah, the fear of the Lord does not judge by the seeing eye or the hearing of the ear; it judges according to righteous judgement (see Isaiah 11:3). Therefore the fear of the Lord in a person’s heart says to its leader, “I’m aware of the authority on you, that it originates from God. Therefore you already have my respect and honor. You don’t have to earn it.” – John Bevere page 57


2. By submitting to the good, gentle, and the harsh authorities


a. “Harsh” in the Greek is “skolios” meaning crooked, perverse, wicked, unfair, forward, tyrannical, and unjust.


b. The New Century Version adds “those who are dishonest”.


c. The Contemporary English Version says cruel.


d. The New American Standard Bible states unreasonable.


e. “…my Heavenly Father is telling me, His child, to be submissive to a harsh, cruel, crooked, perverse, tyrannical, unjust, and dishonest leader?” Why does He not only ask this of me, but commands this of me? There are many reason, but to sum them all up it can be said in one statement: for my benefit. – John Bevere page 58


f. Realize that there is a difference between submission and obedience.


g. Submission deals with our attitude; obedience relates to our actions.


h. This is why we are told, “if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (or you shall be fulfilled). Isaiah 1:19


Illustration – Pastor’s note only


3. By surrendering to the hands of God – 1 Peter 2:21-23


a. Let Jesus be our example in suffering – 1 Peter 2:21


b. Do not allow your hurt to cause you to sin – 1 Peter 2:22


c. Tell the truth even if it hurts you and never lie – 1 Peter 2:22b


d. Do not retaliate when you are insulted – 1 Peter 2:23a NLT


e. Do not threaten revenge when you are deeply hurt – 1 Peter 2:23b NLT


f. Leave/commit your case to God who always judges fairly – 1 Peter 2:23c NLT


4. By blessing those who mistreat you by not retaliating against them for the evil and insults done towards you – 1 Peter 3:9 NLT


a. Bless them by doing good to them and speaking well of them – 1 Peter 3:9a


b. We are called to bless others – 1 Peter 3:9b


c. We are called to bless those who are unkind to us by honoring (valuing and esteeming) them.


d. “Why are we called to this? To position ourselves to receive a blessing (reward). So when you are mistreated, especially by someone in authority, you can get very excited because you are being set up for a reward.” – John Bevere page 58



Illustration – Pastor’s notes only


5. By trusting God rather than vindicating ourselves, godly character is built within us – 1 Peter 4:1-2 NLT


a. Have the attitude that as Christ suffered physically and emotionally, I must be prepared to do likewise because I am His servant – 1 Peter 4:1a NLT


b. When I do this I stop sinning – 1 Peter 4:1b NLT


c. When we stop sinning, we will stop pursuing our own desires and be passionate to do God’s will – 1 Peter 4:2 NLT


d. As a result, we will walk in obedience and holiness, which will bring conviction and persecution from friends and family – 1 Peter 4:3-4 NLT


e. Be motivated then to lovingly tell them that they will one day soon have to answer to God for their sins – 1 Peter 4:5 NLT