Acts 14:1-7

                                Resist Prematurely “Moving On”

            There may be a real temptation to write people or causes off when there is opposition.  Who likes to swim against a current?  But at what point do we “just move on”, and in which situations should we continue?  Paul and Barnabus were encountering people whose minds had been “poisoned by unbelief”.  What was their reaction to that?  ___________________________________________________________________

            What would be the opposite of a mind “poisoned by unbelief”?   ___________________________________________________________________

            I find it interesting that in this case, unbelief was not a reason for departure.  It was not until the authorities solidified a plan for physical persecution, that Paul and Barnabus decided to depart.  Until that point it appears they actually intensified their efforts and preaching about the Truth.

            Most of us already do, or will in the near future, have opposition to the Truth that is operating in and through us.  How do we respond to that?  What would it take to endure, continuing to preach and display the grace of Jesus and the good news of the Gospel?

            Slander, lies, gossip—these things poison belief, trust, and hope, and ultimately embitter the soul of a person.  These are words of condemnation, destruction and death.  Proverbs 18:21 tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue.  As disciples of Jesus, we should take the most care to be speaking words of life—even in the face of opposition, slander, lies, and gossip.  How great is the contrast between light and dark in this context!

            Yes, there are times to flee, but in our comfortable, wealthy, Western culture I wonder if we have bought into the lie that if things are not going smoothly, easily, comfortably, then we should “move on”.  Wouldn’t it be more true and faithful to our calling as disciples of Jesus to do what Paul and Barnabus did? 

            May God grant us the grace, courage, and wisdom to speak truth even in the midst of those whose minds may be poisoned by unbelief.  And may we endure, with the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control) until it is quite clear, (and we are directed by the Holy Spirit rather than by our emotions), we need to “move on”.

Read and Pray:  Hebrews 10:35-39, 12:1-4, Psalm 100:4-5, 136:1-3