Danger! Danger!
There is a movement in our society that seems to be intended to sway or deceive many. Words are being thrown around; some loosely, some forcefully but many with the intention of deceiving.
Religious leaders of days gone by would seek to subvert the truth of the gospel and dumb down the people. They couldn’t allow those apostles of Jesus Christ to win over the people! They wanted to silence them and pervert the message, putting an end to this new religion that attracted so many.
Acts 14:2-3
“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands”.
Did you notice the response of the apostles? They were not silenced. They did not cower. They did not respond with angry attacks. However, they did speak boldly. They were forthright and confident with the message of truth.
Notice as well, it was the Lord who was “bearing witness to the word of His grace”. When the word of God is spoken it is the Lord Himself that takes His word and graciously reaches into the heart and mind to “discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
It doesn’t take much these days to poison the mind. In Acts 14:2 the word poison means to injure, to exasperate or make evil affected. It is translated as harm, oppress or harass in other places in Acts.
Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that our enemy the devil is seeking to suppress the voices of those who speak truth and call out his lies.
Paul and Barnabas went throughout “the region” spreading the word of the Lord. It was rejected by the religious rulers often and when the apostles could no longer boldly proclaim it, they shook off the dust from their feet and continued on their way with joy (Acts 13:51,52), not with complaint!
Do you face opposition at times because of the word of the Lord? How often do you experience resistance or the bitter poison of others against the gospel? What is your response?
Shake it off friend. We are not called to argue, fight or resist the authorities around us. We are called to suffer through for righteousness sake.
1 Peter 2:15
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—
None of us want to suffer the threats of others and we conveniently forget, or maybe with subtlety satan has deceived us as 1 Peter 2:19-20 says, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God”.
Be encouraged dear Christian, to speak forth the Word with confidence and do not be afraid of their threats! Be aware of the subtle attack or divisive approach to draw you into an argument that would cast a shadow upon the glory and goodness of God.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,
and always be ready to give a defense
to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:14-15
“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming”. 1 John 2:28