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Bullies like to bluster.
It’s all they can do, unless we let them. Bullies who don’t have power behind them are no more than hot air, and we need to quit being frightened of them.
The Jews in the time of Paul were powerless. In the Roman provinces, they couldn’t punish anyone. Their hands were tied behind their backs by the authority of Rome. If they wanted to cause trouble for someone (here, Paul), they had to take their case before the Roman authorities.
Acts 18:12 reveals the beginning of the situation:
“And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat.”
The Jews were attempting to bully Paul into giving way to them. Yet, the results weren’t what they expected. Remember, Paul was the ultimate rule-follower. He knew the laws of the land. He was meticulous about his p’s and q’s and keeping his ducks aligned.
Acts 18:17 gives us the ultimate humiliation for the Jewish leaders:
“Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of it.”
The devil is the bully who likes to torment us, yet his words of accusation are no more than bluster and hot air. If we are meticulous about keeping our Christian lives in order, the devil will be cast down at the judgment seat and beaten. The evil one has no power over the Christian. He has no rights, no authority, and no legs to stand on.
Romans 8:37 is our victory cry:
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Jesus has all power over the devil, and with the Word of God, we can smash the evil one into no more than the dust that blows in the wind.
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Code: FGO.E.13.17b.vp.kjv