WHICH IS IT?

READING: ACTS 19:1-10

Verse 9: “But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.”

The qualities of persistence and perseverance are generally highly valued. However, like most other qualities, they can be detrimental if pursued inappropriately. For example, the wrong kind of  persistence can pretty quickly become stubbornness. In Acts 19:9, the Apostle Paul demonstrates the wisdom involved in distinguishing between perseverance and stubbornness. When he encountered  hardened unbelief in response to the gospel, he departed and withdrew the disciples. Guided by the wisdom of God’s word, Paul employed godly counsel. As Jesus had commanded (Matthew 10:14), he departed from those who would not receive him or hear his words. Any situation like Paul's that results in an  outcome that is suspect, is a good time for Holy Spirit inspection. At such a time it may be that stubbornness has been exerted and caused failure, producing strife. On the other hand, it may be that persistence has been applied and caused success, producing character. As we live with these possibilities, the question that should honestly be faced is – which is it? May such situations cause us to seek out fresh godly wisdom for a right response each time they occur. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Are you inclined toward either persistence or stubbornness?

2. What can a person do to either increase in persistence or decrease in stubbornness?