Acts 17:18-21
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
18 A group of Epicurean and
Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this
babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign
gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the
resurrection. 19 Then they took him and
brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to
him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some
strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived
there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the
latest ideas.)
Have you ever not said
anything at all because you wanted to avoid a debate? I am not one that likes to sit and listen to
people debate over religious matters and I really don’t like to debate. I remember a time when I had a debate with a
religious leader of a religion that I do not agree with. I had scriptures to dispute everything that
he said. It was really cool, I had my
Bible opened and when he would say something contradicting the Bible, I would
find the verse and read it to him. I
know the Holy Spirit was there with me because the verses came to mind so
quickly. My oldest daughter was there
witnessing this conversation as he had called her trying to convince her that
his religion was the route to take. She
quickly brought the phone to me to talk to him.
He never took the words that I was saying to heart. I finally told him that he would NEVER
convince me that I was wrong and it was apparent that he would not accept the
faith that I had and I ended the conversation with him. That religious group never has bothered us
again.
Most times, I avoid such
debates. Telling those who knock on my
door that I have a church home and that I am not interested in what they have
to present. I am not one that enjoys
confrontation and I get very discouraged when people don’t listen to the Good
News that I have to share. So, I simply
and politely (usually) turn them away.
Is that what we are supposed to do?
It certainly is not what Paul did. He talked even when his words seemed like
babble to the people. Paul’s actions in these verses convinces me that he was
so excited about this new found faith that he wanted to shout it from the
mountain-tops. He talked while people
sneered at him and continued talking until some came to know the Lord. Even when opposition stared him in the face,
he was not afraid to speak the truth.
As you seek Him today,
ask for strength to share the Word with those who might think you are crazy,
may laugh at your words, or who may actually hear the Good News and take it to
heart.
Seeking Him with all my
heart,
Sheila
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