STAYING ON MESSAGE – Acts 26:25
Acts 26:25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
Paul had just presented the gospel to Agrippa when Festus retorted that Paul must be crazy. Festus was unable to handle the truth of the gospel and as such, he attempted to discredit the truth that Paul spoke by attacking the messenger. Festus figured to ease his conscience by convincing himself that Paul was crazy. Why should he pay attention to the words of a man who is crazy?
Paul understood that while he was responsible to obey God and present the truth of the gospel to those who God brought him in contact with, he also understood that he was not in control over the results. Paul was faithful to present the truth and any attack upon him regarding the truth of the gospel was not a direct attack on him but was a denial of the Creator God and HIS plan for the world.
Like Paul there will be times when you will share the truth of the gospel with others and they will attempt to discredit you. Because of the truth that you present, they find it easier to attack the messenger rather then attack the message. When Paul was attacked, he did not dwell upon the attack but instead returned the focus on the truth of his words. Paul acknowledged Festus, but rather then allow himself to stat slinging verbal mud, Paul went back to the whole purpose of why he was speaking to begin with, to share the gospel with those who did not believe the truth.
Imagine what would have happened had Paul allowed himself to return evil for evil and reply to the personal attack. Do you think Agrippa would have told Paul that he almost persuaded him had Paul told Festus that he incompetent, money hungry deceiving judge who did not deserve to sit in judgment over an innocent man like himself? However, Paul was different and Paul did not let the personal attacks affect his emotions. Paul remained focus upon spreading the word and allowed God to control the results.
It is hard to maintain your composure when people make personal attacks upon you. One of the reasons why they do this is to distract others away from the words that you speak in an attempt to cause them to think less highly of you. You cannot allow these personal attacks to affect you. You cannot allow these personal attacks to stop you from continuing to share the message. Keep your focus upon the message.
If you do not have virtue in your life, the first time people start throwing insults at you, you will allow yourself to be taken off your course. Instead, when you have your mind upon the things of God, when the insults come, you will follow Paul’s example of keeping your focus upon God’s calling and not letting the enemy have a victory in your life. Virtue will give you the strength to keep your focus upon fulfilling God’s will.
Unlike the child’s rhyme that claims that words will never hurt you, words do hurt. It does hurt when someone starts accusing you and attempts to discredit your character. It is important that you keep your focus upon God. Add virtue to your life so that you can keep your focus upon the things of God regardless of what the enemy attempts to hurl your direction. Do not allow the personal attacks to affect your focus.