Things that Get in the Way of the Truth…
Have you ever had a discussion with someone who refuses to really deal with the issue but always goes down a different path? Or maybe you’ve done this recently. Perhaps God has brought you face to face with something that you need to correct or change but instead of “discussing” this with God rationally, you veer to a side issue which seems to make the decision for you. I know this has happened in my life. We read of something like this in Acts 19 when the apostle Paul is in Ephesus. Let’s pick it up in chapter 19, verse 23: 23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
This man Demetrius has a problem. He fears that his business will go under because of this guy, Paul, preaching that idols aren’t real. Then, to make it sound not quite so self-centered, Demetrius brings the “welfare” of the goddess Diana into it, claiming that her temple may be despised and/or destroyed. But what is the real issue here? The real issue that Paul is asking Demetrius and the other Ephesians to consider is who is the real God. If the God Paul is preaching about is real, then Demetrius should stop making silver idols and they should tear down the temple to the goddess Diana. But instead of trying to settle this question, Demetrius shifts to something else. Demetrius pivots to money, a hot button issue in any generation or culture. What Demetrius fails to do, and we fail to do at times, is to really consider the truth of what Paul is preaching. Instead of facing the truth head on, Demetrius does an “end around” and ultimately causes a riot.
Ever been there? Are you there right now? Is God dealing with you in some area of your life but you are putting something else in the way of the truth? Change course today! Stare what God is saying to you right in the face and think and act accordingly. Don’t allow something else to get in the way of the truth of what God is doing in your life. If I can be of any help, contact me.
Have a great day!