Whose Opinion is it Anyway? (Acts 14:11-20)

“When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”

Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 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 
‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:11, 18-20

Life comes at you quick. In vs. 11 Paul and Baranbas entered the town of Lystra and preached Jesus as was their custom. Little did they know the response they would get would result in the crowd of pagans who saw the miracle performed by Paul prompt them to practically worship them as gods. The apostles who appalled to say the least and in humility pointed the attention back to Christ as quickly as possible but to no avail by vs. 19. 

Literally one verse later the unbelieving Jews who had a fair amount of influence in that town condemned Paul and Barnabas as agents of satan, causing the entire town turn against them, delivering a near death experience after an onslaught of many stones. In a single moment the attitude of the entire town went from exaltation to execution. 

As Christians we are always susceptible to getting caught up in the opinions of others. We walk the fine line of believing the best praises or embracing the worst criticism of those around us - both of which are deadly traps, especially in the digital age where opinions can literally change from minute to minute the moment somebody hits dislike on what we stand for. 

To avoid the tyranny of public opinion, like Paul we must choose to base our value and worth on the fact that Christ has loved us with an everlasting love that never changes knowing that all the opinions of others are like shifting sands. There’s also a lot to be said for surrounding ourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ who will speak life into us when the world condemns. Were it not for his friends Paul might have finished his missionary journey 14 chapters early in death! 

When it comes to the 2 greatest commandments (loving God and loving others) it really does require that we see others and ourselves the way God sees and loves us. If we will consistently trust in God’s perception of us, the world can’t keep us down. 


@josh1eight

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