27th Oct 26 | 04:00
Studies by Book
Blindness
📖 Acts 17:05-05
Acts 17 - Series 01/Episode 14 - Sat 26th Sep 2026 - Blindness - Acts 17:01-09 - MINISTRY IN THESSALONICA - I John 02:11
(Welcome to my website: valentinedavidar.in)
Acts 17:5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
In Philippi, the slave masters instigated persecution against Paul and the team. Acts 16:19-22 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. (20) And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; (21) and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." (22) Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
Persecution was again taking place in Thessalonica. The reason, though, was different. The Jews in Thessalonica were envious, but they caused the same persecution that the Gentiles did in Philippi. We see that when a man is not under the control of the Spirit of God, the resulting behaviour is the same, whether Jew or Gentile. Scripture calls such people "natural men, not having the Spirit". Jude 1:18-19 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. (19) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Fits of rage are an outcome of the flesh. Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,_ The Jews may have convinced themselves that the violent action that they did to the apostles was out of their zeal for God. This is what they did to our Lord. Matthew 26:63-66 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" (64) Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (65) Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! (66) What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."
The Jews may have satisfied themselves that they were being zealous for God, but Pilate, being a Gentile, knew that they handed Jesus to him to be crucified because of envy. Matthew 27:17-18 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" (18) For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
This is what the deeds of the flesh do to us. It blinds us, and we lose sense of right from wrong. I John 2:11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is goinbecause the darkness has blinded his eyes. The reality was that the Jews hated Jesus, and they hated Paul and the team. The hatred in their hearts blinded them to the illogical action that followed.
As we see the persecution against the church, especially for us here in India, let us make it known to our persecutors that they actually hate us, and this is why they are blinded to the persecution that they are perpetrating on the church in India. (They need to be confronted that they are hating the community that has blessed India).
The mind driven by the flesh is hostile to God. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Persecuting the church is being hostile to God. Saul was persecuting the church. These were the words of the Lord to him. Acts 9:4-5 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (5) And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Israel was chosen to reflect God's character - justice, mercy, holiness, compassion, truth, but when sin ruled them, they behaved no differently from the Gentiles. Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. / Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. These were the Scriptures that the Jews knew very well, yet they inflicted persecution on the apostles.
Learning: When we live by the flesh, we will be blinded to the Scriptures
Valentine Davidar - valentinedavidar@gmail.com
Community Feedback
Reviews for Blindness
☆☆☆☆☆
0 reviews
Leave a Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.