GOOD ONLY TO A POINT

READING: Acts 14:6-20

Verse 19: “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.”

Intellect, although indispensible to our development as humans, can also cause people to be extremely inconsistent. A case in point is the experience of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra. There, a man who had never walked was miraculously healed when Paul commanded him to stand. The people of Lystra then used intellect to conclude that the apostles were gods. However, very shortly after that, these same people were intellectually persuaded by others to kill Paul. Like the people of Lystra, people can still be convinced about one thing at one time, and then shortly after be persuaded about the opposite. Consistent behavior requires more than the exercise of intellect. A truly significant development of consistency needs the use of absolutes that do not change because of differing opinions. We are not at a loss regarding such absolutes. They have been provided and are readily available in God’s Holy Word. We thank You Lord for absolute truth! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How would you be affected by an intellectual betrayal like Paul’s. Once occurring, what would it mean for your future?

2. Where do you stand regarding the balance of your intellect and spiritual truth and authority?