- Acts 13:45 (NKJV) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
With today being what we refer to in the U.S.A. as “9/11”, I thought it was appropriate that today’s verse be the one that I had scheduled for today’s “ONE THING”. Notice the “why” in today’s verse. The “what” is that the Jews were filled at envy towards Paul so much so that they opposed him by contradicting him and blaspheming God. Amazing. These were devout Jews who became so upset that they not only opposed Paul but also blasphemed God.
How could it happen that good, moral and devoted Jews would stoop so low?
Are you ready for this?
Their reason (the “why”) was not because Paul was preaching heresy or fleecing the people or using his position as an Apostle for some other personal gain but simply because of the multitudes. In other words, because Paul was gaining a following and achieving a measure of success they became jealous and began to try to undermine him.
If I could describe this with one word, it would be “irrational”.
Their opposition had nothing to do with facts, principle or integrity – it was simply the irrational emotion of envy.
Like Paul’s unfortunate ordeal with having to deal with irrational opposition and like the U.S.A.’s unfortunate ordeal with having to deal with irrational terrorists, so too will you have to deal with irrationality in this life.
Sometimes there is no better reason for the adversity, headaches and heartbreaks that come your way than the irrational emotions of people. You can respond in like matter: irrationally, or you can keep your head down, focus on the task, do your job well, live right, please God, produce and succeed.
My advice – learned from Paul’s example – don’t get caught up in the petty, party politics of small thinking people. Hold your head up today. You may have to take a few hits but in the end, there is no better answer to people’s irrational opposition than good old fashion success.
The ONE THING 