.png)
- P L U N D E R E R
- Jun 7
- 1 min read
top of page
Search
Back in the 1st century AC, a slick-tongued businessman named Demetrius roused the silversmiths of Ephesus into a rage. In no time, the entire city was in an uproar, with the people making their way to the theater where they gathered. Their anger swelled, a living thing that fed the crowd for hours, their yells rising like a crescendo, though many present had no idea what was going on (Acts 19:32).
Here's what was happening: Demetrius was angry that Paul and his fellow disciples were convincing Ephesians that they didn't need silver statues of Diana, the deity they worshiped. He encouraged them instead to believe in Jesus and the Lord, who wanted their hearts, not the money spent on purchasing statues for rituals.
As can be expected, Demetrius noticed that his profits had been impacted by Paul's preaching. With a few targeted words, he swayed others to march through the city, drawing many to protest God's message. This riot was primarily based on their profits and, secondly, on their false god. And by the time non-silversmiths got involved, they had no idea what actually propelled the turmoil.
The world is full of people like Demetrius. They understand that emotions can be weaponized for their benefit and to other people's detriment. They use this knowledge to manipulate many, including the well-meaning, who think they are lining up to achieve good. Alas, such individuals cannot yet discern the underlying spirit at work and don't realize they were deceived into agreeing with satan, as was the case in Ephesus.
This is why Christians are to pray for and apply the giftings of the Holy Spirit, of which distinguishing between spirits is one (1 Corinthians 2:14). It is also why believers in God are to guard their hearts because what is allowed to grow there will determine the course of their lives (Proverbs 4:23). These cautions, when applied, lessen the possibility of Christians getting swept up with the crowd (be it in person or online) to achieve secret and ungodly objectives.
God warns in Exodus 23:2 - “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. He doesn't want His people to be led by emotions and act mindlessly because such will lead to sin, which brings His judgment. God does not want anyone He created in His image to perish in hell (2 Peter 3:9). He, thus, counseled us through His word on what we shouldn't do so we never end up in hell.
We should always take the things that bother us to the Lord first. He will help us process our feelings, which will impact how we react. Then, we'll gain wisdom and understanding from Him who knows all things (James 1:5). And He who reveals the unsearchable things will teach us how to navigate those emotions (Jeremiah 33:3). This should be a habit for Christians so the enemy and its agents can no longer easily manipulate them.
Christians are meant to be God's sheep - those He takes responsibility to care for. They are not to be 'sheeple' who are easily manipulated to do, think, and say what advances satan's kingdom. And until believers spend more time meditating on scripture, while letting His Spirit decipher it for them, they will sadly continue to be exploited by those within and outside the 'church' who satan uses to derail people from the path of righteousness and the gospel of truth. Or they will be the ones doing the manipulating in service of the accuser.
Give your life to Christ with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from the following previous P&P messages:
When Joshua sent two spies to Jericho, they ended up at Rahab's home. Understanding that something major was coming, she protected the spies from being captured by her king. She went one step further, negotiating for the safety of herself and all who were of concern to her. These actions may not seem like much, but they teach us a lot about our faith and the God we believe in.
She told the spies that her people were afraid because they'd heard how the God of Israel brought them out of slavery and helped them achieve other exploits. Joshua 2:11 - When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Rahab was wise and wanted to be on the winning side. She wanted protection from the God who'd proven Himself powerful because she recognized His hand was on the spies and their people.
Rahab thought that by choosing God, she would only achieve the security of herself and her loved ones, but she achieved so much more. When she chose God's side, He in turn chose her and kept choosing her, long after she was buried. He ensured that, though she wasn't a Jew, she became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. He crowned her with glory for all time, all because she let go of her people and their gods for Him.
That same God will do the same for you when you choose Him. He will not only see you as His own, but if you pray for the salvation of your loved ones, just as Rahab did for hers, He will also ensure their safety. And, as He did for a woman who was a known prostitute, He will change your story (Hebrews 11:31). In Him, you will no longer be known by what you did in the past but will be known for who He made you to be—a person of consequence loved by Him. This is the Rahab Blessing, and it is available for all.
Have you chosen God? Are you choosing to live by His word? Have you given your life to Jesus, and have you received the Holy Spirit of God? If so, you are well on your way to being transformed in name, reputation, and lifestyle. This journey requires patience and obedience, reliance on God, not perfection. The Holy Spirit will teach you, helping you to be increasingly pleasing to the Lord as you navigate this earth toward entering heaven.
And if your answer to any of those questions was no, then praise be to God because you can still choose Him and change your story. We are all in the process of becoming who God wants us to be. All we have to do is agree with His version of who we were made to be. Having done so, we should repent for our sins, accept salvation through Christ, then receive and submit to the Holy Spirit, who will serve as our guide and helper every day.
Taking these steps and being intentional in choosing a godly way of life isn't easy, but it is best for our physical bodies and our eternal souls. The reward is fullness of life, rest round about, and joy with God in heaven. Rahab made this choice, and God not only took care of her and her loved ones. He also made sure we'd never forget her and the role she played for the future of the Israelites of old and the Son He sent on our behalf.
When you choose Him, the Lord who rescued Rahab and all who were of concern to her, while destroying everything else around them, will cover and protect you and yours on the day of trouble, IJMN, Amen.
Make Jesus the Lord of your life with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from these older messages:
bottom of page