June 19
1 Kings 20:1-21:29 | PS 137:1-9 | Prov 17:16 | Acts 12:24-13:15
One of the best selling self-help books of all time is Dale Carnegie's, "How to Win Friends and Influence People", written in 1936. Some of his ways to accomplish this is: do not criticize others, know the value of charm, don't attempt to win an argument, etc. This was not Paul's method and should not be ours, as we should seek to boldly proclaim God's truth in a hostile world. These conversations will often not be received well, you may be marginalized, but if moving forward under the influence of the Holy Spirit, then speaking forth His truth is the desired result. Years ago in a Grand Rounds at my hospital, I don't even remember the exact topic, but it somehow involved being able to genetically evaluate the unborn further so as to seek out those that were not "perfect" so as to offer abortion to those that they felt were deserving. I remember at the conclusion when the forum was opened to comments and questions, I raised my hand and asked by a show of hands for everyone who deemed themselves perfect to raise their hands, I then asked the same question but this time in reference to their children. No one raised their hands. I then explained how each unborn was God's creation and deserved to be born, for none of us are perfect. This did not go over well. But at the conclusion of the lecture, two people, who I did not know, ran over to me to express appreciation for speaking up for the unborn (that was approximately 2 out of 50). Another time, when partial birth abortion hit the forefront, I felt the Holy Spirit compelling me to reach out to my Ob/Gyn colleagues. Again this was years ago. I sent a letter, by mail, to approximately 200 of the nearby physicians. Most did not respond. A few reached out thanking me, others called and reached out criticizing me and letting me know that I had no right to say what I did. No, I never read Dale Carnegie's book. But I have and continue to read God's book, the Bible.
We read one of Paul's first public interactions as he and Barnabas embarked on their first missionary journey in Acts 13:6-11, "Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand." Paul went on to deliver the gospel message to the proconsul. Paul sought to deliver truth, not to win friends and influence people.
I don't want to falsely make it sound like I'm always speaking boldly when I should. There are times that I see things taking place and I remain quiet. We are to be Spirit filled and Spirit led. We speak forth God's truth not to garner popularity, but to proclaim His truth to a world who largely does not know it. We are told what our methods are in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,". Paul reminded Timothy of this in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." God has placed each of us in our own unique mission field. We are to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. There will be times to quietly take it in, There will be times to boldly speak out. We do not measure things as the world does. We don't count those who listen, we simply faithfully plant seeds, knowing that it is the Holy Spirit who wins souls.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: