Explore how bitter envy and demonic wisdom manifests itself in opposition to the gospel and truth of God's word.
There are a number of ways demonic wisdom manifests itself in opposition to the truth of the gospel. The Book of Acts recounts numerous instances where both Jewish and Gentile opposition to Paul's ministry demonstrated bitter envy and hostility. The relentless pursuit to undermine Paul's mission shows their intense jealousy and resistance to the truth of the gospel. Here’s a detailed report on this opposition, highlighting the verses that reveal how people manifest demonic wisdom in opposition to the gospel. They,
Show Bitter Envy
James says,
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:14–16, ESV)
In Acts, we read:
"But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him" (Acts 13:45, ESV).
When Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Antioch, large crowds gathered to hear their message. The Jews, seeing the crowds and the attention Paul and Barnabas received, it filled them with jealousy.
Crave Attention
In the account in Acts 13:45, we see that it was when the Jews "saw the crowds", that they were "filled with jealousy". Their desire was not to promote the truth of God or the gospel, but to get the attention of men. This craving for attention and recognition is a recurring theme among those who opposed the gospel. Throughout the Gospels, we see how the religious leaders sought the praise and recognition of men rather than the approval of God.
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (Matthew 6:1-2, ESV).
Jesus highlighted the hypocritical nature of the religious leaders who performed their righteous deeds to be seen by others. Their actions were driven by a desire for human praise rather than a genuine devotion to God.
"For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (John 12:43, ESV).
This verse encapsulates the heart of the issue. The religious leaders' actions were motivated by a love for human glory, which directly opposed the humility and selflessness that characterize true godly wisdom.
Even Pilate, the Roman governor, recognized the envy driving the religious leaders when they handed Jesus over to be crucified. Pilate's insight into their motives is telling:
"For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up" (Matthew 27:18, ESV).
This acknowledgment by Pilate underscores the destructive power of envy and the lengths to which the religious leaders would go to maintain their status and influence. They were willing to orchestrate the death of an innocent man to preserve their position and receive the praise of the people.
The desire for attention and recognition not only led to opposition against Jesus and His apostles but also highlighted a deeper issue of misplaced priorities. The religious leaders focused on outward appearances and human approval rather than seeking to honor God. Jesus condemned this behavior, emphasizing the importance of humility and genuine faith:
"But woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces" (Luke 11:43, ESV).
This desire for prominence and honor among men stands in stark contrast to the humility and servanthood that Jesus exemplified and taught His followers to emulate:
"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28, ESV).
In conclusion, the craving for attention and recognition is a manifestation of demonic wisdom that opposes the truth of the gospel. This desire for human glory led the religious leaders to act out of jealousy and envy, ultimately contributing to the persecution of Jesus and His apostles. By seeking the approval of men rather than God, they revealed their true motives and the destructive nature of their wisdom. True godly wisdom, in contrast, calls for humility, servanthood, and a desire to honor God above all else.
Poison Minds
"But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers" (Acts 14:2, ESV).
In Iconium, the unbelieving Jews actively worked to turn the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. Their actions to "poison their minds" show a deliberate effort to undermine the biblical truth the apostles preached out of spite and jealousy. This tactic of poisoning minds reveals a deeper strategy of creating confusion, spreading falsehoods, and fostering division.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul defends his ministry against those he refers to as "super apostles" who tried to discredit him and turn the Corinthians against him:
"I do not think I am in the least inferior to those 'super-apostles.' I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way" (2 Corinthians 11:5-6, ESV).
The "super apostles" sought to undermine Paul's credibility by attacking his speaking abilities, aiming to turn the Corinthians against him and question his authority and message.
We also read:
"But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead" (Acts 14:19, ESV).
Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed Paul to Lystra and persuaded and poisoned the minds of the crowds against him. Their influence reveals their determination to oppose the truth Paul preached.
In Thessalonica, the Jews' actions show their determination to poison the minds of the people and authorities against Paul and his companions, accusing them of causing trouble and turning the world upside down:
"But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also'" (Acts 17:5-6, ESV).
In conclusion, one way demonic wisdom manifests itself, is by poisoning the minds of people against those who proclaim the gospel. It is a tactic used to create confusion, spread falsehoods, and foster division against those proclaiming the truth. From the false apostles in Corinth to the troublemakers in Thessalonica, these efforts reveal a deliberate attempt to undermine the truth and hinder the spread of the gospel. Recognizing and resisting such tactics is essential for maintaining the integrity and purity of the faith.
Contradict the Truth
"But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him" (Acts 13:45, ESV).
Sadly, when someone operates under the influence of demonic wisdom, they end up opposing the truth of God's word. The Jews claimed to believe God's word. But when the truth of God's word drew more attention than they did, and when they saw the proclamation of this word was benefiting others, they felt compelled by demonic wisdom to oppose the very truth of God.
This opposition to the truth is not an isolated incident. Throughout the New Testament, we see numerous examples of individuals and groups contradicting the truth of God's word. Their actions reveal the underlying motivations of jealousy, pride, and the desire for power.
In the Gospels, we see how the religious leaders frequently contradicted Jesus and His teachings:
"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons'" (Matthew 12:24, ESV).
The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, rather than acknowledging the truth of His divine authority. This baseless accusation was a direct contradiction of the truth, driven by their unwillingness to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Similarly, in the early church, we see how individuals contradicted the truth to maintain their own influence and control:
"But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith" (Acts 13:8, ESV).
Elymas, a magician, opposed Paul and Barnabas, attempting to prevent the proconsul from accepting the gospel. His opposition was rooted in his desire to maintain his influence over the proconsul, contradicting the truth of the gospel for personal gain.
In Acts, the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, also contradicted the apostles' teaching about Jesus' resurrection:
"And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (Acts 4:1-2, ESV).
The Sadducees' annoyance and opposition to the apostles' message of resurrection highlight their refusal to accept the truth that contradicted their own beliefs and doctrines. Their actions were driven by a desire to preserve their theological stance and authority.
In the Old Testament, we see similar examples of individuals contradicting God's truth. The prophet Jeremiah faced opposition from false prophets who contradicted his message of impending judgment:
"Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, and the prophet Jeremiah said, 'Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.'" (Jeremiah 28:5-9, ESV).
Hananiah, a false prophet, contradicted Jeremiah's message from the Lord by proclaiming peace and restoration. His contradiction of the truth was aimed at gaining favor and approval from the people, even at the expense of God's true message.
These instances highlight a common thread: those who contradict the truth often do so out of envy, pride, and a desire to maintain their own status and influence. They resist the truth because it challenges their authority and exposes their falsehoods.
The ultimate example of contradicting the truth is seen in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The religious leaders, driven by jealousy and fear of losing their power, sought false testimony to justify condemning Jesus:
"Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, 'This man said, "I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days"'" (Matthew 26:59-61, ESV).
Their willingness to entertain false testimony reveals their desperation to contradict the truth of Jesus' identity and mission. They chose to believe and propagate lies rather than accept the truth that threatened their authority.
In conclusion, contradicting the truth is a manifestation of demonic wisdom that stands in stark contrast to the humility and openness to God's word that characterizes true godly wisdom. Whether motivated by jealousy, pride, or a desire for power, those who oppose the truth ultimately reveal their resistance to God's transformative work. These examples from Scripture serve as a sobering reminder of the destructive nature of contradicting the truth and the importance of remaining steadfast in proclaiming and living out the truth of the gospel.
Verbally Abuse
In the account above ("reviled" in Acts 13:45), the Jews also heaped verbal abuse on Paul, showing their intense hostility and desire to discredit him and the biblical truth he stood for. This pattern of verbal abuse is seen throughout the New Testament and the Gospels, where those opposed to the truth use harsh words to attack and discredit God's messengers.
In the Gospels, we see how Jesus Himself faced verbal abuse from those who opposed Him:
"And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, 'You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross'" (Matthew 27:39-40, ESV).
As Jesus hung on the cross, people mocked and derided Him, using their words to inflict further pain and humiliation. Their verbal abuse was a clear manifestation of their rejection of His message and identity.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, also faced intense verbal abuse before his execution:
"But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him" (Acts 7:57, ESV).
Their loud cries and refusal to listen to Stephen's testimony were expressions of their hostility and rejection of the truth he proclaimed. Their verbal abuse culminated in physical violence, leading to Stephen's death.
Paul himself described the verbal abuse he endured as an apostle:
"To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure" (1 Corinthians 4:11-12, ESV).
Paul's response to being reviled was to bless, demonstrating the stark contrast between the destructive nature of verbal abuse and the redemptive power of godly wisdom and humility.
Jesus taught His followers to expect and endure verbal abuse for His sake:
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12, ESV).
This teaching underscores the reality that verbal abuse is a common tactic used by those who oppose the truth. It also highlights the blessedness of those who endure such abuse for the sake of the gospel.
In conclusion, verbal abuse is a powerful tool used by those under the influence of demonic wisdom to discredit and undermine the truth of the gospel. From the mocking of Jesus on the cross to the reviling of Paul and the early Christians, verbal attacks reveal the deep-seated hostility and rejection of God's message. Despite these challenges, the faithful response of blessing those who revile us serves as a testimony to the transformative power of God's love and truth.
Reveal Greedy Motives
"But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, 'These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice'" (Acts 16:19-21, ESV).
"About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen" (Acts 19:23-24, ESV).
In Philippi, the Gentile owners of a slave girl who had a spirit of divination opposed Paul and Silas because their hope of financial gain was gone. This opposition stemmed from economic loss caused by the truth of the gospel.
In Ephesus, the silversmith Demetrius and other craftsmen opposed Paul because his preaching of the gospel threatened their business of making idols. Their opposition stemmed from economic self-interest rather than a pursuit of truth.
Paul also addresses the issue of greed and false teaching in his letter to Timothy, warning against those who view godliness as a means of financial gain:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs" (1 Timothy 6:6-10, ESV).
Paul highlights the danger of viewing godliness as a means to financial gain. Such an attitude not only reveals greedy motives but also leads believers away from true godliness and contentment. The pursuit of wealth becomes a snare, causing spiritual ruin and hindering a genuine relationship with God.
Make Legal Accusations
"But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, 'These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice'" (Acts 16:19-21, ESV).
They brought Paul and Silas before the magistrates, accusing them of advocating unlawful customs, thus using legal means to oppose the spread of biblical truth.
Again, we read:
"But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal" (Acts 18:12, ESV).
They brought Paul before a tribunal, and accused him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law, highlighting their attempt to use legal means to stop the spread of the gospel.
Form Mobs
"But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd" (Acts 17:5, ESV).
In Thessalonica, jealous Jews resorted to forming a mob. Their actions show their willingness to use unruly elements to oppose the gospel Paul preached.
Start Riots
In the above account, they not only formed a mob, but incited a riot to attack Jason’s house, where Paul and Silas were staying. This shows their determination to disrupt Paul's work through any means necessary.
Follow People Around
"But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds" (Acts 17:13, ESV).
The Jews from Thessalonica traveled to Berea to continue their campaign against Paul. Their actions to agitate the crowds reveal a persistent envy-driven effort to hinder the spread of the gospel.
Agitate Crowds
In the above account, they also stirred up the crowds in another city, showing their relentless pursuit to oppose the biblical truth Paul proclaimed.
Make United Attacks
"But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal" (Acts 18:12, ESV).
In Corinth, the Jews united in an effort to bring Paul before Gallio, the proconsul. Their collective jealousy drove them to make a concerted effort to silence the biblical truth Paul preached.
Incite Disturbance
"About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen" (Acts 19:23-24, ESV).
Demetrius incited a large disturbance, revealing the lengths to which they would go to protect their economic interests against the transformative power of the gospel.
"When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, 'Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place'" (Acts 21:27-28, ESV).
Jews from Asia, upon seeing Paul in the temple, incited the crowd. Their actions show their deep-seated envy and desire to create public opposition against Paul and the truth he stood for.
Make False Accusations
"When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, 'Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place'" (Acts 21:27-28, ESV).
They falsely accused Paul of defiling the temple by bringing Greeks into it. This slander was aimed at turning the people against Paul and discrediting his ministry.
Impede Liberty
One of the manifestations of demonic wisdom is the effort to impede the liberty that believers have in Christ. This often involves promoting legalism and false teachings that place unnecessary restrictions on believers, contradicting the freedom given by God. Paul addresses this issue in his letters, warning against those who seek to impose such restrictions.
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth" (1 Timothy 4:1-3, ESV).
In this passage, Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who would arise in the latter days, promoting doctrines of demons. These teachings include forbidding marriage and commanding abstinence from certain foods. Such restrictions undermine the liberty that believers have in Christ, who has declared all foods clean and established the sanctity of marriage (Mark 7:19; Matthew 19:4-6).
The effort to impede liberty is a clear manifestation of demonic wisdom, which seeks to undermine the freedom that believers have in Christ. From forbidding marriage and certain foods to promoting false restrictions, these actions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel and an attempt to control and restrict the liberty granted by God. Recognizing and resisting such efforts is crucial for maintaining the true freedom found in Christ.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relentless opposition the disciples faced from both Jews and Gentiles illustrates the various ways demonic wisdom manifests itself in hostility towards the gospel. Their actions, driven by jealousy, bitterness, and selfish ambition, serve as a stark contrast to the truth and peace that the gospel brings. From contradicting the truth and poisoning minds to inciting violence and making false accusations, their efforts were marked by a consistent desire to undermine the transformative power of the gospel. This opposition not only highlights their resistance to God's truth but also underscores the enduring nature of spiritual warfare against the spread of the gospel. Despite these challenges, Paul's unwavering commitment to proclaiming the truth serves as an inspiring testament to the power of faith and the enduring message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
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