Standing Firm in God’s Work: Leadership, Opposition, and Discernment
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Summary
Faithful leaders often face criticism, lies, and intense opposition, both inside and outside the church. Nehemiah’s example shows how discernment, knowledge of God’s Word, and steadfast focus protect God’s servants from deception. By refusing distractions and standing firm against false accusations, believers can persevere in God’s calling. Like Nehemiah, Christians must say no to anything that pulls them from God’s work and remain committed until the task is finished.
The Reality of Criticism in Leadership
Leaders are often highly esteemed by some, while others mercilessly lambast them. It happens in the church.
Opposition That Discourages God’s Servants
It happened to me. Many pastors who want to follow God wholeheartedly leave the ministry after a disappointing first church experience.
They are unprepared for the firestorm of resistance they encounter when they try to lead in a direction other than tradition. A survey released in March 2022 revealed that 42 percent of pastors in the USA were contemplating leaving the ministry.1 It is not just pastors who experience criticism while ministering to others.
Nehemiah’s Resolve Amid Intimidation
How can we be faithful to our calling despite opposition? Nehemiah faced intimidation as the wall around Jerusalem neared completion. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem used threats and lies to discourage him and derail the work.
Saying No to Distractions and Schemes
Four times, they invited Nehemiah to meet them on the plain of Ono. Nehemiah knew they were scheming to harm him (Nehemiah 6:2). Four times he said, “No, no!” to Ono.
Lies, Discernment, and God’s Word
They changed tactics. Sanballat sent a letter filled with lies about Nehemiah, knowing that they would spread like a cold virus.
He claimed the Jews were building the wall to prepare Jerusalem to revolt against the king. Nehemiah would rule in his place.
Trying to erase rumors that idle gossip transmits is like removing paint from a wall and putting it back in the can.
Tobiah and Sanballat hired a prophet named Shemiah to try to discredit Nehemiah. While visiting him, Nehemiah heard lie after lie cascading out of the “man of God’s” mouth.
Shemiah was trying to trick him so he would desecrate the house of God. Noadiah and some other prophets also lied to Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:14).
Not everyone who claims to speak for God does. Nehemiah’s knowledge of God’s word and discernment from God allowed him to detect the lies. He was not deceived.
Similarly, we need discernment and knowledge of God’s word to identify liars and truth-tellers. The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44).
Lies are his ultra-destructive neutron bombs. He uses anyone available to spread them. Let us not be part of his Fiendish Express delivery system.
Standing Firm in God's Work
Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, we must persevere to complete God’s work. When we are doing that work, quitting will seem attractive. Standing firm in God's work is essential.
Whatever pulls us away from it is not our friend. Like Nehemiah, we must learn to say no to distractions and yes to God’s purpose.
Like postage stamps that stick to their envelopes, let us stick to God’s work until it is completed. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,590 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,681 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
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