If you are seeking to please people, just know that they can easily be turned against you, especially if you are witnessing about the new life in Jesus. There is one Christian chat room now on AOL and still there are those who come in it to turn others against the word of God. This is not anything new. The crowd yelled hosanna to the Lord as he rode into Jerusalem and not many days after this they were yelling "crucify him". (Mark 11:9 and Mark 15:13)
Paul and Barnabas were witnessing in Lystra, which is located in Turkey. As he was speaking a man who was crippled from birth was seated near him. Paul, by the Holy Spirit perceived that the man had faith to be healed, He commanded him to stand up. And the man leaped up and walked. The people who saw this were amazed and they had supposed that Barnabas was the god, Jupiter and they thought that Paul was the god, Mercury. The people brought garlands to celebrate and oxen as sacrifices. Paul said no to them, for they were men as they were. (Acts 4:8-18)
Now come the mockers and accusers from previous cities where they had witnessed.
Act 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Act 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
They went from being called gods to being stoned and left for dead. Hopefully we will not be stoned for our witness, but we will have persecution.
Act 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
We are not in a perfect and peaceful world yet. Satan is at war against God and his people. Jesus won the war; it is a spiritual war. Resist by the power of God's word and the devil will flee you. If mockers continue against you, then remove yourselves from them. Paul continued to witness in other places and so can we. We offer God's promise of eternal life in heaven, if they refuse then satan will drag them to the hell that was created for him. We witness because we care about their eternal souls
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