What People Do When Confronted

When the crowd saw what Paul had done they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language 'The gods have come down to us in the form of men'.

Paul said, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God.'

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium , and when they won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. Acts 14: 11,15,19,20

Crowds of people can be so fickle. I watch on the news how the reporters in Syria believe that there is a canned crowd. In other words we are seeing what the politicians want us to see.

We see protesters everywhere. People are rising up and protesting against the governments for this decision or that decision. In Australia we had a recent protest against live animal exports to nations where the animals are abused.

Yet I see how my state government is going to train the children to be kind and not homophobic, in other words they are going to promote homosexuality. I don't see a crowd protesting.

When, like Paul, you show the power of God, people come running but when they are confronted by their sin their turn and want to kill and find fault. Like I said fickle.

I am grateful that Paul did not temper what he was saying or doing so that he could avoid being stoned.

I am grateful that the book of Acts show a determined man telling like it is because he is saying from the stands 'don't be lukewarm, stand up for truth and things that matter.'

I am encouraged by Paul's stand and I know that I also must encourage others by what I live for, by what is important to me. May my epitaph be 'she stood up and did not compromise her faith'.

Don't become a crowd pleaser just to fit in, be true to your principles and to the Lord who made you. Amen!