Hey Christian, did your flesh just recoil from that command? The “natural” instinct to protect ourselves is always lurking, ready to cause fear and self-centered choices. But this is not what Jesus modeled for believers. We are called to a radically different way of life based on the faith that God is with us as we face challenges and opportunities to glorify Him. This kind of faith transforms us and the people we encounter. But if we stay in our flesh and make decisions based on fear, we cannot please God or make an impact.

This kind of living will feel very strange at first and others may try to discourage you. But they are being like Peter when he argued with Jesus. Jesus rebuked Peter .

Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

[21] From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. [22] And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” [23] But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

[24] Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

The fear of being taken advantage of or exploited can cause us to hold back, to protect ourselves, or to approach others with suspicion rather than openness. When unexpected situations arise, it’s easy to forget that, as believers, God is directing our steps. However, if we look to the teachings of Jesus, we find a different path—one that calls us to first pray, then to act with kindness, generosity, and love, regardless of how others might respond.

The Call to Radical Kindness

Jesus’s message was clear: we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, to turn the other cheek, and to give without expecting anything in return. In the Gospel of Matthew, He teaches, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:41-42). This kind of radical kindness can feel risky. It asks us to be vulnerable, to put others’ needs before our own, and to act out of love rather than fear. We are to do this to display God’s righteousness and power, not just to “be nice”.

But this countercultural teaching isn’t about being naïve or allowing others to take advantage of us, rather it’s about living in obedience to a higher calling. When we act out of love, we show the world that we truly believe in God’s supernatural love for us—an unconditional love that overcame sin and death and offers forgiveness to all who repent and believe!

Overcoming the Fear of Being Exploited

It’s natural to worry that if we give too much or forgive too easily, we might be taken advantage of. But Jesus’s teachings challenge us to trust that living according to His principles will bear fruit in our lives, even if we don’t see the immediate benefits. In Luke 6:38, Jesus assures us, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This doesn’t mean that life will always be easy or that others won’t try to take advantage of our kindness. But it does mean that we can trust God’s provision and justice. By focusing on doing the right thing and leaving the results in God’s hands, we free ourselves from the anxiety of being exploited. We can rest in the assurance that our worth and our reward come not from how others treat us, but from our relationship with God and our commitment to His teachings.

This can feel scary and dangerous and it can be if we are stepping outside of God’s will. We must take care to prayerfully seek the guidance of the Spirit in everything.

Seeking the Wisdom of the Spirit

Don’t try to take up your cross in your own power! Jesus commands us to “abide in” Him. This is a supernatural position of submission of our will and seeking of wisdom from the word and in prayer. The Holy Spirit will guide us through as we seek to obey and deny our natural self. How do we know if we’re acting in our own will or abiding in Him? First we must get to know Him very well! This includes regular, daily Bible study and time alone in prayer. Then we must be actively avoiding sin, which includes pride and self-glorification. This process of sanctification takes time and we all make mistakes as we learn to obey. The important part is to be very aware of our tendencies to do the things that make us feel good, rather than doing what Jesus taught. In time and with practice, these will become the same things. But new Christian often confuse “doing good things” with taking up your cross. The idea is not to think up ways to be a social activist, but to submit yourself to honoring God in whatever God puts in your path. If you’re neglecting the responsibilities God has already given you to take on “Christian ministry”, you might want to reevaluate your motives. Jesus was completely submitted to God. He did what His Father told him to do.

John 5:30

[30] “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Lifestyle Evangelism

When we take up our cross and live according to Jesus’s teachings, we are sharing the gospel. In a society where people are often motivated by self-interest, those who act with selflessness and integrity stand out. We can show that we have peace in a chaotic and divisive world. Our actions can inspire others to ask why we are different and open the door to their own salvation. The better that Christians display the love of Christ in practical ways, the more likely others are to be drawn to Him. Of course we should also invite them to church and share our beliefs when we have the opportunity.

Jesus’s command to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31) isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a command. When we prioritize doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult, we show the power of Jesus to the lost, and this glorifies God.

Matthew 28:18-20

[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Trusting in God’s Plan

Finally, doing the right thing without worrying about being taken advantage of requires a deep trust in God’s plan for our lives. It’s about surrendering our need for control and trusting that God will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). This trust allows us to act with courage and conviction, knowing that our faith is grounded on a loving and all-powerful God.

In a world that often rewards self-interest, Jesus’s teachings remind us that we must deny ourselves and follow Him. When we follow His example and do the right thing without worrying about the consequences, we not only glorify God but can trust that we are in the best possible position as far as eternal consequences .

So, the next time you’re faced with a choice between protecting yourself and doing the right thing, remember Jesus’s words and example. Trust that when you act with love and integrity, you’re following Jesus in obedience—and that, even if people don’t respond positively, in the end, God sees and rewards every act of kindness, no matter how small.