One morning last week, I pondered a bit on the Bible verses of Acts 28:3-6. This particular passage tells us of a time when Paul was bitten by a serpent. While the people surrounding him there were watching, they thought Paul must indeed be a guilty sinner, a murderer, since this serpent bit him.
However, because Paul’s life is in the hand of the Lord, the serpent’s bite did not affect him at all. No swelling or illness took place. How quickly the people changed their minds (once again) concerning Paul.
Bible verses below:
(3) “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.“
(4) “And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.“
(5) “And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.“
(6) “Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.“
Acts 28:3-6 kjv
I sometimes chuckle a little bit at the thinking of these people when I read this passage! Yet, sometimes we can be the same way…
How easily our MINDS are SWAYED by watching our surroundings and current circumstances or hearing statements made by others. And, sometimes we may be quick to judge.
We may also catch ourselves forming opinions and making decisions based upon what we see or hear without considering if it is the TRUTH or not.
We need to use CAUTION of being influenced by the world’s opinions. First, we must ask ourselves if it lines up with the Word of God.
(I remember a specific time when I was younger and caught myself believing something that did not line up with the Word of God. It can happen!)
Being influenced in our BELIEFS can happen easily, when we do not know our Bible well enough.
God’s Word is our solid rock, a firm foundation, which will not sway to changes or circumstances around us.
God’s Word will help us remain STEADFAST and UNMOVABLE in an ever-changing world.
I challenge you to work on strengthening your foundation in the Word of God DAILY!
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:58 kjv
God bless you and your family,
Rhonda White
*Updated December 4, 2019 / *Originally posted April 19, 2017
2 Comments
Jeanie C Watkins
This is a great read. I need to keep telling myself,my children and my Sunday School kids,”If someone tells you something,go see what the Bible has to say about it.”
herChristianHome
Oh yes, I totally agree. I have to remind myself as well. It’s something we can easily lose sight of when we’re constantly being influenced by the world and their worldly opinions…and more often than not, it does not line up with God’s Word. And sometimes Satan sneaks just a little bit of the truth in there to get people to swallow it.