Goodbook messages arrive every Tuesday and
Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our
lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture
reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.Reading: Acts 19:35-41
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "People of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his associates have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Application:
The city clerk was the voice of reason in a mob that had gotten out of control. If you remember, some of the men who made shrines for the temple of Artemis were angry at the apostle Paul for preaching that there is only one true God – it was bad for their business. They stirred up a crowd against Paul, and the crowd turned into a mob. There was chaos and confusion and things were about to get out of hand.
The city clerk encouraged them to take a breath, to calm down, to really think things through, and not to do anything rash. I love this guy. He was able to be the voice of reason for this unruly mob. His words diffused what could have erupted into a very volatile situation.
I need a voice of reason in my life. Sometimes I get over excited about things. Sometimes I want to rush to react or to make a decision. Sometimes I operate on impulse rather than logic. Sometimes my thinking can get a little fuzzy. Sometimes I do things that are rash. It helps to have someone who can speak into my life with a voice of reason.
Do you have a voice of reason in your life?
I have several. Scripture functions this way. As I read and meditate on God’s Word, God’s speaks truth and wisdom into my life. My wife is another voice of reason. So is my small group. These individuals speak truth in love, and they help me evaluate what is going on in my life and how to best move forward. I really appreciate and value these voices of reason in my life. Without their input, I can make poor decisions. With their input, I can chart a more healthy and God-honoring course.
Who are the voices of reason in your life? Are you listening to their input?
Share your comments and application ideas...
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