Text: Acts 17:13-15
But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
Now, let’s look at verse 16 because it’s vitally important:
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
greatly distressed (Gk. paroxunó).
Pará, “alongside.”
oxys, “a sharp edge.”
I.e., Paul was deeply cut (jabbed) in his emotions by the idolatry he witnessed. It got to him, irritated and angered him.
Q. Have you ever felt that way about something?
Paul’s emotional reaction to the idolatry in Athens was authentic and relatable. It reminds us that our emotions, even the negative ones, are part of our God-given humanity.
What Paul felt—what we feel—is not wrong. When something happens, and you feel angry, hurt, provoked, or cut, please don’t deny it. Embrace it, think about it, but don’t react. Engage your filter. This is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of your strength and control over your emotions. And we’ll see how Paul did that in a moment.
With some of the events surrounding the Olympics, people were outraged—they felt angry, hurt, and provoked—and then reacted. They didn’t engage their filter. As a result, the message that many Christians have given to the world over the past two weeks is that we are easily offended, want to have everything our way, and want anything we disagree with to be cancelled. We bang on about cancel culture and freedom of speech but then act in a way that attempts to restrict anything or anyone we disagree with. When we act like this, we appear hypocritical, selfish, entitled, and anything but like Jesus.
The church’s central message is the gospel. It’s good news. But our outrage invariably clouds the message. People hear anything but good news, roll their eyes and take another step away from a God who loves them and has moved heaven and earth to reconcile them to himself.
Consider Paul’s words to the Corinthian Church (2 Cor. 5:18-20):
God…reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors.
Having said all that, let’s go back to Acts 17 and see how Paul engaged a filter:
Acts 17:17-23, So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus.
The Areopagus was a hilltop where philosophers debated. It was also where city officials held trials for murder and crimes against public order.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Now, see how Paul engages his filter. Remember, as he walked around Athens, he was angry, distressed, and irritated by all the idols he saw. How did he communicate with his hearers?
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. [respectful of what is divine.] 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
The Athenians’ idolatry angered Paul, but he engaged his filter and spoke with them respectfully. Luke recorded this story for a purpose, and one of those purposes was to show us how we can courteously interact in every sphere of life. Paul engaged his listeners and did not antagonise them. He had an opinion about idols but was able to discuss it respectfully. Can we do the same?
Some helpful filters:
The golden rule: So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Let’s remember the royal law: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does not harm a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10). When we apply these principles in our interactions, we not only align ourselves with the teachings of the Bible but also foster a sense of connection and unity within our community.
The fruit of the Spirit: The Galatians needed the filter Paul gave them as they were renowned as a people of violence.
Galatians 5:22-23, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I encourage you to pick your battles. Some topics need to be avoided so a relationship can continue. Remember this sermon the next time you feel anger, hurt, or outrage rise within you. Take a breath, pause, and engage your filter. Be kind and respectful, and treat others how you want them to treat you.
Discussion Questions
Share an occasion when you’ve been deeply cut or have felt jabbed by someone or something. How did you respond? What did you learn that will be helpful in the future? Did you engage your filter?
Discuss: “Our emotions, even the negative ones, are part of our God-given humanity.”
Discuss: “The church’s central message is the gospel. It’s good news. But our outrage invariably clouds the message.” How do you think we Christians could do better at not blurring the gospel message?
Read and discuss 2 Cor. 5:18-20. In what ways can you implement the ministry of reconciliation and effectively share its message?
Read and discuss the royal law, the golden rule and the fruit of the Spirit. How could these serve as handy filters in everyday life and the situations you encounter?
What other Scripture verses come to mind that could serve as a good filter when you feel irritated, angry, or hurt by something or someone? Consider Philippians 4:8.