Acts 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
“Sore Thumb sticks out.”
Be on guard for a great disturbance or a spiritual attack at the brink of the breakthrough. Our spiritual progress stands out like a sore thumb to the hellish offenders. Hell is traumatized when souls are saved from sickness, sorcery and sin.
The Apostle Paul brought about a great revival in the pagan city of Ephesus. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (Acts 19:19-20). Ephesus, the modern day Turkey, a major port city of the Roman province, was a wealthy trading hub. It was the home of the Temple of Artemis, goddess of fertility, hunting, and protection. The silversmiths who made idols, shrines and statues of Artemis thrived in Ephesus but they were threatened by the number of converts who found the truth and relinquished idolatry and practice of sorcery. Hence the merchants instigated by evil spirits stirred up an upheaval in Ephesus. Fear and fury ran rampant and a mob rushed to tear Paul apart as he had caused many blind eyes to be opened and to see the truth.
Truth of the gospel stands out like a sore thumb to the violators, revilers and the troublemakers.
Stand Out:
1. Strongholds: In Ephesus, God did extraordinary miracles through Paul (vs 11). Walk in the supernatural and serve selflessly to breakdown demonic addictions, incarcerations and strongholds. Arrogance can never prevail over the yoke breaking anointing.
2. Sorcery: At the conversion of the sorcerers and magicians, the arrogant marauders attacked Paul, Where there is strife, there is pride (Proverbs 13:10a). The devil can do us no harm.
3. Stand: When faced with opposition for standing up for the truth and the life-giving Gospel, remember, “There are more with us than against us” (2 King 6:16). Only 1/3rd of the angels fell with Lucifer. Hence there are two mighty angels against one demon that opposes us. Stand against superstition, incantations and sorcery. We have the backing of the Mighty Heavenly Hosts.
Take your stand and stand out for Jesus.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, teach me to boldly stand against the evil forces and demolish strongholds. Amen.
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