March 11: A different kind of retaliation

Acts 4:23-24 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

As the apostles started moving in power, the church began to exponentially grow. While the general population rejoiced in this refreshing new movement, the religious leaders of the time grew increasingly frustrated. We see in Acts 4 that shortly after news of the lame man’s healing spreads, the apostles are taken in for questioning. It’s not that the religious leaders sincerely want to know how they did it, but rather they wanted to curtail this new Jesus movement since it threatened their following. People were moving en masse from the keepers of the law to the apostles of Jesus Christ. And it needed to be stopped.

After conferring among themselves the religious leaders came up with this plan:

“But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (Acts 4:17)

Do you know who normally threatens? The bullies. The ones that think they are better off than the rest. In reality, the seemingly “strong” or “loud” bullies are acting out of their insecurity. They feel threatened about something, so they retaliate or normalize that behavior. The show themselves as powerful and all-knowing on the outside, but inside they are weak and confused at best. But still, bullies can cause a lot of hurt and damage. They can trouble you physically and emotionally. No one wants to be near a bully.

So, how did the apostles deal with the bullies?

First, they spoke up. When they were threatened to no more speak in the name of Jesus, they said”

 “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Secondly, they prayed. After being let go, the apostles joined the rest of the disciples and this happened:

“ So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,

And the people plot vain things?

The kings of the earth took their stand,

And the rulers were gathered together

Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

It was a different kind of retaliation. When the spiritual bullies rose up and threatened the disciples of Jesus, they in turn confessed that their testimony (their experience with Christ) and they prayed to God seeking for His help in continuing their work.

This principle can be applied even today. It is highly effective. When you feel threatened by someone or something – you must retaliate. But not in the same way the bully did. Sometimes you may not even have the boldness to speak up. That’s ok. Pray first. Take it to the Lord God Almighty who is the righteous judge. Ask God for help. And He will take care of the bullies by either changing them, or taking them away from your life.

Trust me. I have seen it over and over. Nothing is more effective that taking it to the Lord in prayer.