David Livingstone was a pioneer missionary to Africa, who walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry, and he faced stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren.
He prayed, “Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties but the tie that binds me to Your service and to Your heart.” (Source: The Grand Weaver, Ravi Zacharias)
Physical hardships, financial shortfalls, and public uprisings can all produce opposition to truth. We cannot change the message of truth to soften the opposition to truth.
19:23-27. The people were more upset about their way of life and less concerned about the gospel that Paul and his mission team preached.
A YIELDING TO PANIC
o Paul Claimed: Paul declared there are “no other gods which are made with hands” (19:26). The problem with this declaration is two-fold: the people believed in false gods all their life, and this was how they supported themselves (making idols was their occupation).
o Paul Persauded: Paul had “persuaded and turned away much people” (19:26). In short, Paul was destroying their businesses via converts. Customers no longer needed false gods after hearing of the one true God!
o People Alarmed: They were alarmed that the “great goddess Diana” should be despised, and her magnificence destroyed. Demetrius (the leading silver smith) believed all of Asia and the world worshipped Diana.
Those opposing truth will often engage with escalating tactics. The “truth” is often not the chief goal in societal debates and personal choice and confusion are guarded at all costs. It does not matter to those opposing truth as to what the truth actually is – what matters is that they get what they want. Confusion among the masses will help ensure opposing personal choices. Here is an example of the escalating tactics:
They will attempt to shift the conversation to a different narrative and ignore the truth, like: “you are so hateful, but we just want to love each other” — but the truth is no one has expressed hate, they simply have a differing view. Shifting the conversation will take the truth and alter it slightly to the left or right of the truth. In this example, opposition is equated to hatred, thus no one can oppose them without the label of “hateful.” In Acts 19:26-27, we are told that Paul said there are no gods made by the hand of man. Demetrius tells his business partners our wealth is in danger…then he says their goddess will be despised…then he says Diana’s greatness will be destroyed…then he says all the world worships Diana! However, the real concern was the wealth of a few businessmen.
If this does not prove to be enough, the opposition to truth will increase their efforts with manipulation. They will try to confuse the masses with distractions through key cultural leaders and media outlets so that truth does not gain momentum. In Acts 19:27, Demetrius takes one thing Paul said (man cannot make a god) and manipulates the crowd. Before he is done speaking, he has painted Paul as a world-wide threat to their goddess. However, if the truth be told, Diana is not much of a goddess if one human being can threaten her existence!
The last step of escalation is intimidation. The opposition to truth has been stirring the masses with distractions and lies so that they are finally ready to help intimidate with angry speech and physical aggression. In Acts 19:28-34, we are told the people are so confused that they do not even know why they are angry and why they are following Demetrius like an angry mob into an arena.
Years ago, two gentlemen that were seated several rows behind Winston Churchill during his last year in office began whispering, “That's Winston Churchill. They say he is getting senile. They say he should step aside and leave the running of the nation to more dynamic and capable men.” When the ceremony was over, Churchill turned to the men and said, “Gentlemen, they also say he is deaf!” (Sources: Vital Speeches, Barbara Hatcher)
Churchill did not weaken because he heard opposition. He kept a sharp focus on his target. Opposition has a way of weakening our resolve when we lose sight of our target. Here are a few tips in handling growing opposition:
Recognize escalating tactics as efforts to oppose truth. II Tim. 3:12; I Pet. 4:12.
Remain strong in communicating the truth. Do not change the message to appease the loud and angry. Do not become loud and angry like them (Matt. 5:44; I Pet. 3:9; 13-17). They will not be appeased until you are silent or until you have joined them in calling wrong “right” or lies “truth.” So, be sure you have crucial truth (and not simply a personal preference) before you enter a confrontation. Remember, truth is the Word of God (Jn. 17:17).
Review your message in comparison to the Bible. Make certain you are making a fuss over sin and not opinions.
19:28-34.
A MOB SCENE MENTALITY
Threaten people’s income and things get desperate. When things get desperate, they often become pretty ugly, very fast.
19:28 – the crowds became “full of wrath”
19:28 – the crowds started yelling “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”
19:29 – city is “full of confusion” and a riot breaks out… people are rushed into the theatre for mob style justice
19:30-31 – Paul is advised not to go into the crowds
19:32 – most of the crowds didn’t even know what they were supposed to be so upset about
19:34 – the crowds refuse to hear the other side of the conflict, for when Alexander came forward wanting to put forth a defense, the crowds realized he was a Jew and refused to listen
Two facts from this mob scene from which we can learn:
1. Making a Defense. You are not always the best person to make a defense in a conflict. When our kids were young, they would send our younger children to us to ask permission to do something. The older kids believed the younger kids’ innocence would win the day! Paul does not go into the crowds. The scripture warns about rebuking one who does not have a teachable spirit! Proverbs 9:7-8.
2. Listen. We ought to be careful to listen before answering. (Prov. 18:13). We often listen to the opposing party so that we may respond. Be careful to listen to others in order to understand!
19:35-41.
A VOICE OF REASON
19:35 – Town Clerk acknowledges Diana is great in the city’s eyes…the people feel like they have been heard.
19:36-37 – Town Clerk has the people’s attention and also states these men have done nothing wrong. They ought not act rashly
19:38-39 – Town Clerk urges lawful handling of wrongs
19:40-41 – Town Clerk acknowledges the uproar is unlawful and we appear guilty.
Consider these closing thoughts:
1. Avoid opinion and preferences in a conflict’s defense – center your defense on truth (the Bible). When we cease to peaceably exchange differing views, we begin to embrace communistic or barbaric cultures as good. Remember, you may win the ideology battle, but in doing so, you will lose the war for their souls!
2. Address reality. There are spiritual truths straight from the pages of the Bible that we must first live (love your enemies, be kind, be tender-hearted, be forgiving) and then share with those who oppose truth…and depend on God to do the convincing.
3. Acknowledge the standard. Scripture tells us to obey civil laws (Rom. 13:1-5; I Pet. 2:13-17). When opposition to truth begins to lean toward aggression, calmly point to potential guilt based on the law. Remember, “a soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1).
Recently, I attended a city council meeting with a few of our men from church. Each of us chose to speak during the “Public Comments” time and to stand up for truth amid a group of very confused people. My watch tracks how many steps I have taken, how much time I spend exercising each day, how many times I stood in the day, and how many calories I have burned (and more). Since my heart attack and the new meds I have been on, I have not been able to meet the “burning calories goal.” Well, at the city council meeting, my watch alerted me that I had met my calorie goal. My heart had been racing! Aggressive opposition is intimidating!
See how fast things got out of control in Ephesus? We are not exempt from such traps within the church. May we guard our hearts and minds with:
1. Truth (God & His Word)
2. Communication with each other (listening to understand and before acting)
3. Prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit
We too must continue to move forward for the Lord and stay on mission as His church!