Why would anyone want to persecute a believer who is trying to walk according to the Word of God?
The answer is simple: The light of God that is in a righteous person exposes the darkness in others, and it makes them extremely uncomfortable.
The truth is they can't stand it because it reveals the wickedness in them. If you were covered with dirt and grime, you certainly wouldn't want to stand next to someone dressed in clean, white clothing. It's too much of a contrast.
Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). If sinners keep company with other sinners, they don't look quite so bad!
I have been around some people who couldn't even stay in the same room with me—not because I am superspiritual; but because of the life, the light, and the righteousness of God that is in me. That light exposed their evil deeds (to them) and convicted them of their sin.
If people are uncomfortable around you, it is probably because the Light is shining through you. That Light reveals all their sins. If they are religious, their "dirty clothes"—the filthy rages of their self-righteousness—will be exposed.
Once after having a perfectly good day, I stepped into a fast-food restaurant and ordered a hamburger with mustard (no onions!). The man behind the counter put my sandwich in a sack and said, "That'll be $1.85."
When I paid him, he took my change out of the cash register and threw it at me! I had to pick it up off the floor.
I thought, God, what's wrong with me? I didn't do anything to him.
God said, "The light in you exposes the darkness in him."
Even in a restaurant, without a word said about God, that Light was shining, revealing and exposing.
The light and life of God shone through evangelist Smith Wigglesworth and exposed the darkness of others, even as he rode passenger trains.
God's presence in him caused people to fall on the floor, screaming out, "God save me! I'm a sinner!"
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers