Caution On Impulsiveness

“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.” (Ac 14:19 AV)

The wonder of this is how quickly and dramatically this crowd turned on Paul and Barnabas.  Just a few verses earlier, the Bible tells us these citizens were ready and persistent to offer animal sacrifice unto our beloved Apostles as Greek gods.  They were so impressed by the miracles which the LORD wrought by them, these humble folks attributed to these men of God the persons of Greek gods.  Now, just a few verses later, they are casting stones and driving Paul to near complete death.  What happened?

The first issue was their impulsiveness.  Their initial actions and the desire to kill them just a few verses later were the result of rash and impulsive reaction to their own observations.  These actions, whether offering sacrifice or stoning, were not actions well-reasoned out.  They did not examine the scriptures to see if these things were so.  When the Jewish unbelievers arrived to frustrate the ministry of Paul, these Jews convinced the good citizens of Lystra Paul and Barnabas were just the opposite of who the people thought they were, the people reacted with equal impulsiveness.  If Paul and Barnabas are not gods, then because of the miracles, they must be devils.  Off with their heads.

 We have to be very careful of impulsive prospects.  Those who have a zeal for what the LORD has to offer, yet are not disciplined to reason through truth.  This is what we see in much of what we call today ‘revival’.  These are impulsive decisions or conclusions not based on sound reasoning.  This is why there are great numerical results yet no lasting ones.  Crowds stirred up to impulsive decisions based on simply observation rather than engaging the mind to come to a reasoned faith.  Impulsive decisions are fleeting.  Impulsive decisions are shallow.  Impulsive decisions are quickly regretted and changed.  Be weary of pressing for impulsive decisions.  Look for opportunity to reason one’s faith.