Acts 19:28-29a When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar.
One bad apple can rot the basket and one trouble maker can infuriate a city into rioting. Paul was preaching vehemently in Ephesus and God was performing astounding miracles. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them (Acts 19:11-12). There was a great revival throughout the city of Ephesus. Ephesus is located near modern day Turkey. Ephesus was an important port city and the pivotal trading point of the Mediterranean. The goddess of the pagan city was Artemis, called Diana by the Romans. A silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen. He convinced the traders and the business community that Paul was preaching that gods made by human hands are no gods at all (vs 26b). He told them that they will go out of business if Paul continues to preach the gospel. Hence the city was in uproar.
One cunning culprit is enough to divide a family, community or a church. Deception, rumors and selfish ambition can result in bitter divisions and heartbreaking divorce. As long as truth is massaged and masked, we will not get into trouble but when truth is spoken boldly the devil will become outrageous. When truth exposes deception the diabolical forces will get into action. Speak the truth in love. Paul’s travelling companions were arrested by the mob. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd but some officials who were friends of Paul begged him not to come into the theater filled with irrational antagonists.
Truth exposed stirs up anger:
1. Falsehood: We will make enemies of people whom we don’t even know if we preach and prophesy the truth. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there (Acts 19:32). The insurrection did not even know why they were there! Falsehood exposed, stirs up anger. Don’t react; the truth will come to light.
2. Façade: Pathological liars get extremely angry when confronted with proof of their falsehoods. When the façade is ripped and truth is exposed it makes liars angry. Don’t accuse or call them names; bring correction lovingly.
3. Frenzy: Anger is bad for our brain. Neurologists say that every time you say no to ‘anger’, you are rewiring your brain to become calmer and more loving. “One minute of anger weakens the immune system for 4 to 5 hours and one minute of laughter boosts the immune system for 24 hours”. Get rid of anger and build up your physical and spiritual immunity.
Truth exposed can infuriate people, so do it with love.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Prayer: Father God, help me to unpeel the veneer of anger and teach me to speak the truth in love. Amen
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