You Will Be Misunderstood

Jesus said, “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you”—Matthew 5: 11-12.

Someone has said that we judge other people by their actions and we judge ourselves by our intentions. There are times we give ourselves a lot more grace than we tend to give other people. So before you get righteous and apply Jesus’ words in Matthew 5, first recognize you are sometimes misunderstood because you are hard to understand.

Yet despite your best efforts, some people will never understand. But the best leaders learn to live under the scrutiny of others. They get comfortable with the fact not everyone will approve of their decisions. They understand some people will question both their judgment and their motives.

Misunderstanding and criticism come for various reasons. First, people tend to make judgments based on limited information. Second, people are often skeptical of leadership. Third, leadership failures are epidemic and people are just not sure who to trust. Finally, some people simply will not trust you because they don’t like you.

Without sermonizing this reality, let’s recognize a few very important truths from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:11-12:

• It is a high privilege (Jesus said, “blessed”) to be trusted with the insults of others.
• Unfair criticism will come. Jesus used the word “when” because He knew it would come.
• Do not be surprised at the variety of forms these accusations take. Jesus talked about insults, persecution, and then slander. Be prepared for well-balanced and relentless attacks.
• Stay clean. Make sure that the criticisms being launched are “false.”
• Keep the goal in mind. Spiritual leaders lead on “account” of Jesus. You do not have to survive, and Jesus is the only One you have to please.
• Live for the heavenly “reward.” You can’t see all the results on this side of eternity, but there is a heavenly reward waiting.
• You are not alone. Greater men have endured greater suffering at the hands of godless enemies. Consider it an honor to join their ranks.

Leaders must expect to be misunderstood; yet leaders do not have the luxury of clearing up all the criticisms directed at them. Some wounding words deserve no response. Some insults can never be deflected. Some wrongs are never made right. Spiritual leaders get that. You are not a punching bag or doormat, but neither is your goal to prove yourself to people who will never believe in you. Again, see Jesus.

So lead well, win those you can, and shake the dust off your feet with those you can’t. A mentor once told me, “You take care of your character, and let God take care of your reputation.” That is still very good advice.