Acts 17: 16 While Paul was waiting
for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of
idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with
both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with
those who happened to be there. 18 A
group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of
them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to
be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good
news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a
meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this
new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to
our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the
foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and
listening to the latest ideas.)
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Having bought into the
philosophy, I immersed myself deeply. I spoke day and night about the views and
opinions that mattered most for the group. I found myself leaving my family to
bow down to the group’s symbols. Work had become my god and prominent figures
had become my idols.
- It was easy for me to fall into a philosophical hole.
- It was easy for me to follow a group that seemed to reward me.
- It was easy for me to become something that satisfied my need for pleasure, affirmation and assurance.
Paul faced a difficult group
of philosophers in Athens. They followed prominent figures like Epicurus or
aligned with stoic beliefs. Fighting against hedonistic, mental rating,
knowledge seeking people would be a challenge. They laughed at Paul because he
spoke about JESUS saying he was a babbler. But Paul spoke anyway.
- GOD wants me to speak about HIS SON anyway.
- GOD wants me to follow HIS way as the only philosophy.
- GOD wants me to value HIS word as the thing I need to worship.
So many human philosophies
come and go. BUT GOD remains the same. HE wants me to value HIS love for
humanity by telling people JESUS died for my sins and is now alive. I can place
my trust in HIM to provide and protect. I am grateful for JESUS, in whom I
place my trust.
- Are you fighting for a certain philosophy that comes from humans?
- Do you doubt certain aspects you hear about GOD?
- Will you seek GOD and learn about HIM so you will have an everlasting purpose?
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