“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (emphasis added).

“simple.” If life is about following Jesus, then at times we will follow him as he walked away from abuse and danger. Jesus didn’t cede control of his life to anyone.

Toxic people will try to make the problem about how you’re reacting to their toxicity rather than their toxicity itself. Don’t take the bait.

If we try to minister when our own fuel tanks are empty, we may end up doing more harm than good. We should follow Jesus’ example and not feel guilty about telling others no until we have first sat at the feet of our heavenly Father and received his love and care. We have to occasionally play defense in order to go back on the offense with renewed

When dealing with the type of toxic person Jesus likened to a pig, you’ll want to play a particular kind of self-defense—guarding your own heart against bitterness and resentment. For me, my best defense in that regard has been twofold: praying for the toxic person and refusing to engage them further. I’m talking to God more and to the toxic person

Jesus didn’t tell his disciples, “Stay there and let them hit you because they may finally come to their senses.” No. He gives his disciples permission—even more than that, a command—to flee from those hurting them and go to another place. (If you’re wondering, What about when he said to turn the other cheek? see the endnote.)1

God doesn’t “control” us, even in our sin; we cannot and must not try to control one another. When a husband is trying to control a wife or a wife is trying to control a husband; when a “leader” is controlling an organization instead of empowering it; when a child uses rebellion and violence to take over family gatherings; when a colleague gossips,

Here’s why it’s wise: Jesus is essentially saying that a spiritually dead person is as insensitive to the glory of God’s truth as a pig is to the value of a pearl. Because they live by baser instincts, they can’t even recognize the value of God’s truth. They want something baser. They live on a more primitive level spiritually. They think to themse