Acts chapter 14 verses 19-20 (NIV)
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Paul was stoned by a crowd and left for dead. We don’t know if he was just unconscious and revived, or whether He was resurrected.
Regardless of this, when he came round, his first thought was not to immediately leave, but rather to go straight back into the city.
Imagine the reaction of those who stoned him when they saw him walk through the city. They knew the condition they had left him in. He would not have to say a word, I’m sure. I think the presence of the Holy Spirit would be so evident in Paul’s life that many of those who opposed him would be convicted of their behaviour.
When we are criticised or opposed, we may want to walk away, and sometimes that is the right thing, but at other times, God wants us not to argue with our opponents, but to allow the Holy Spirit to move through us and testify our faith through our conduct and integrity.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this reminder that it’s not just what we say that’s important, but how we behave. Help me to allow the Holy Spirit to direct my steps, even in the face of opposition. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.