Resisting Divisive Tactics: A Lesson from Acts 14:2
Acts 14:2
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
This verse reveals to us the number one tactic of the devil; to make our minds “evil affected” against the brethren. Ironically, it seems to be the religious elite that are so readily available to do the devil’s bidding concerning this matter! Oh yes, this is the crowd which has a form of godliness, but who denies the power thereof.
This is the crowd that is always of doubtful disposition. This is the same crowd that is always looking for the flaw in the messenger, rather than the flawlessness of the message. In other words, it does not matter to this crowd that what is being preached is absolute, undeniable truth. The only thing that matters to this crowd is that they remain “king of the hill” in the religious realm.
Consider chapter thirteen, verse forty-five, which says of this same crowd, “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” There are two things I wish to point out that these religious-but-lost Jews were concerned about.
First, Paul was preaching grace, which was apparently too much for them to handle! Secondly, Paul’s ministry was exploding with multitudes being converted, and so the violent resorted to attempting to take the Kingdom of God back by force. Their jealousy and their ego were more important to them than was the salvation of their own souls.
Today, we still have the same kinds of battles going on within the church world. If you will notice, most ministries who predominately preach on the grace of God, and who are exploding with growth, are still being spoken against and contradicted. Furthermore, most of such criticism is still coming from “unbelievers” who profess Christ, but who haven’t any actual facts to substantiate their gripes!
Dear friend, has God placed someone in your life who is able to minister to you in such a powerful way that you are able to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, do not allow the enemy or his mouthpieces to cause your mind to become evil affected against the person or persons God has strategically placed in your life to bless you.
Refrain from doubtful dispositions.
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
This verse reveals to us the number one tactic of the devil; to make our minds “evil affected” against the brethren. Ironically, it seems to be the religious elite that are so readily available to do the devil’s bidding concerning this matter! Oh yes, this is the crowd which has a form of godliness, but who denies the power thereof.
This is the crowd that is always of doubtful disposition. This is the same crowd that is always looking for the flaw in the messenger, rather than the flawlessness of the message. In other words, it does not matter to this crowd that what is being preached is absolute, undeniable truth. The only thing that matters to this crowd is that they remain “king of the hill” in the religious realm.
Consider chapter thirteen, verse forty-five, which says of this same crowd, “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” There are two things I wish to point out that these religious-but-lost Jews were concerned about.
First, Paul was preaching grace, which was apparently too much for them to handle! Secondly, Paul’s ministry was exploding with multitudes being converted, and so the violent resorted to attempting to take the Kingdom of God back by force. Their jealousy and their ego were more important to them than was the salvation of their own souls.
Today, we still have the same kinds of battles going on within the church world. If you will notice, most ministries who predominately preach on the grace of God, and who are exploding with growth, are still being spoken against and contradicted. Furthermore, most of such criticism is still coming from “unbelievers” who profess Christ, but who haven’t any actual facts to substantiate their gripes!
Dear friend, has God placed someone in your life who is able to minister to you in such a powerful way that you are able to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, do not allow the enemy or his mouthpieces to cause your mind to become evil affected against the person or persons God has strategically placed in your life to bless you.
Refrain from doubtful dispositions.
~ Pastor Gary Caudill