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"When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities."
(Acts 16:19)
Yesterday we read about the freedom from spiritual bondage for the girl afflicted in Acts 16. Hallelujah! She was free! You would expect everyone to be happy about that, right? Sadly, that was not the case. This girl was not only in bondage to an evil spirit but also to her slave owners who were exploiting her for money.
The text continues to tell us:
"When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, 'These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.' The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks."
(Acts 16:19-24)
The girl's slave owners saw that they could no longer capitalize on the girl's oppression so in their anger they spread lies about Paul and Silas in retaliation.
Helping someone to find spiritual freedom in Christ will not always make others around you happy. Often, it is others in that person's life who will try and choke out the seeds you have planted. The enemy may try and slow you down or take you out of the picture. I remember a girl who wanted to learn more about Jesus until her father forbade her from coming to our church. It is tragic. However, it doesn't have to be the end. Keep fighting for those in bondage, no matter what backlash you might face.
Each person you meet who is not in Christ is likewise a slave—a slave to sin, and the enemy wants to keep his foothold in their life. However, the God who died for them is powerful enough to break every chain, and He has chosen to let us play a role in bringing others to Him. Rejoice in this, recognizing that this means you may face backlash for it. We ought to expect the backlash and not fear it. It reminds me of 1 Peter 4:12, which says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."
Don't be surprised when you face challenges on account of your ministry to others. Likewise, don't back down. The Lord is glorified through our faithfulness and certainly through those who find freedom in Him as a result!
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