Paul was Provoked
Oh, I know. You’ve never been there…. Provoked! Angry! Someone or something just made you mad! But Paul was provoked! And he had good reason.
“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols” (Act 17:16).
Paul had just come from another town. He was waiting for his ministry friends to arrive. As he walked around the city, he was shocked. All those statues of pagan gods! Ahhh! He was repulsed. He was upset! He was angry! He was provoked!
If it was you, what would you have done? If statues don’t bother you, what does? And is it over spiritual issues, or over carnal ones? What is your beef? Is it valid? or self-centered?
And how do you respond when your personal pet peeves are violated? You better believe Paul did NOT keep his peace...he let it out! He let people know EXACTLY how he felt! EXACTLY what was in his heart! Watch this:
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him” (Acts 17:17).
Got it? He preached the truth every day! That’s how he responded. That’s how he let it out.
Let me ask again. How do you respond? Do you retaliate? Do you get critical and lash out or assign blame? This same Paul wrote:
“...live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace” (Eph. 4:1-3, CEV).
You and I need to get provoked to be spiritual! Paul did. And so can you.