September 3, 2009 - Acts 9:29

“He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.” Acts 9:29.
Have you ever listened to a speaker who provoked your thinking and with whom you disagreed vehemently? Saul must have encountered many crowds of people who disagreed vehemently with him. This particular crowd of Grecian Jews sought to kill Saul because of the strength of his argument. And this was apparently the second threat on his life in such a short period of time. But this did not stop Saul from proclaiming the truth.
There have been many times when I have heard truth expressed to me, and my first response (reaction!) was negative. The more truthful the statement, the more vehement my reaction! For example, my wife, on several occasions, has made true statements to me concerning a negative attitude of mine or concerning the way I treated a person, and what was my reaction? Was it to say, “Thank you, honey. You’re right. I need to change?” NO! My first reaction was to rationalize and make excuses for my actions. Next, I would lash out, attacking her for making such an accusation. Eventually, I would understand and I apologize, recognizing what a knucklehead I had been. But, I am sure that you have never had that kind of reaction!
When we hear truth for the first time, our initial reaction is most likely not going to be like the Grecian Jews in this verse, but most likely it is going to challenge and stretch us. It is going to push us in ways that make us uncomfortable and may require some changes in how we do things. Perhaps we wouldn’t kill the person physically, but we might “kill” the relationship.
Questions to consider: How do you respond/react to truth at its first hearing? How long does it take you to respond positively to it? Has there been someone in your life that, when truth was shared, it killed the relationship?
Prayer: Father, help me to have the heart to embrace Your truth quickly. Help me not to react quickly, but to take my time to absorb and process what You have for me. Amen.