One cause of persecution is pride. When the light comes, people realize they are wrong; but because of their pride, they don’t want to admit they have been in darkness.
Those who have been blinded by the god of this world (the devil) are not guilty of spiritual pride because they have not chose of their own will to remain in darkness. It’s just that they have never been enlightened.
In John 9 Jesus said:
“For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.”
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, “Are we blind also?”
Jesus said unto them, “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”
(John 9:39-41)
These Pharisees did not want to admit that they had been in the dark because it would have been an embarrassment to them. It would have hurt their pride.
After all, they were the religious leaders of the day! They would rather stay in darkness than come to the light and admit that they had been wrong. They would rather persecute Jesus and kill Him (put out the Light) than change.
Not long ago, I heard an evangelist tell a story about the pastor of a church in which he had preached the Word for a week. Before the evangelist left that church, the pastor said to him, “I recognize that what you have been preaching is the truth; but I’d rather die than admit I’ve been wrong all these years.”
Shortly thereafter, that man fell dead in his pulpit. Why? Because of pride. The light came and the darkness of religious doctrine was exposed, but pride would not let him admit that he had been wrong.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Annette Capps is the President and CEO of Capps Ministries, an ordained minister, businesswoman, and licensed airplane pilot. A diversity of experiences created her unique and practical approach to ministry. She brings a balanced message of the supernatural and the natural. This combination of the practical and the prophetic stirs faith in the hearts of audiences.
A lifelong student of the Bible, she has ministered across the nation and has authored seven books, "Reverse the Curse in Your Body and Emotions", Removing the Roadblocks to Health and Healing", Overcoming Persecution", "Angels", "God's Creative Power for Finances", her best seller "Quantum Faith" and newest release "The Spirit of Prophecy".
Along with continuing the radio ministry of her father, Charles Capps, she is now the host of the Concepts of Faith television program which broadcasts on many independent stations and networks including Daystar, TCT Network, and The Victory Channel.
Coming from a long family history of farming, Annette maintains this close connection with the land by managing her family's farmland in Arkansas. She and her husband live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where the ministry is now located.