The Christian and Conflict

Introduction

In this passage of scripture we see Paul and Silas continuing to proclaim the gospel and continuing in their service to the Lord.

As they went they were joined by a demon-possessed slave girl who was bringing great wealth to her masters.

This slave girl followed Paul and his companions for many days and at first they tolerated her cries but ultimately the decision was made that she must be dealt with.

Paul turns to the girl and commands the demon that had her in possession to come out of her and the same hour he came out. (Vs. 16-18)

This illustrates the power of the name of Jesus Christ over demonic forces. This also illustrates the conflict that sometimes may arise as our service to the Lord impacts others around us.

The Rash Reaction of the Unbelievers (Vs. 19-24)

The masters had now lost their opportunity for profit from this demon possessed girl and reacted harshly to their loss.

As believers we do not seek out conflict, rather we seek to follow the Lord and to do His will. This will sometimes bring us into conflict with unbelievers because of the impact our service to Christ has upon their lives.

- the herd of swine. They were more concerned about the loss of their pigs than they were about the demon-possessed man who had been made whole!

Communist countries- why do they fight against Christianity- they know it will bring uncontrollable change to their country.

These men began to make accusations against Paul and Silas of troubling the city and teaching things contrary to Rome’s rule.

They had no issue with the teaching of Paul and Silas as long as they were allowed to continue to profit from it.

In verse 22 the magistrates tore their clothes in disdain and commanded Paul and Silas to be beaten! All for saving a young girl from demon-possession!

Then Paul and Silas were cast into prison and fastened there in stocks.

What we see here is a common occurence in our modern world. Many have no problem with Christ or Christianity until it begins to impact their way of life.

Parents of bus children whose lives are changed by the gospel and the reaction of their parents when they begin to feel convicted.

Jesus Christ and the faithful preaching of the Word of God will make an impact on the people and the world around us. As such, we ought to expect conflict when we live for Christ. - all live godly shall suffer persecution.

The Right Response of Paul and Silas (Vs. 25)

Paul and Silas could have fought the angry mob and the magistrates. They could have decried their innocence and plead their cause. Yet they remained true to the pattern of Jesus Christ and took the punishment.

After being cast into prison undeservingly for nothing more that casting a demon out of a young girl they could have become discouraged and sank into depression and despondency.

They could have complained to the jailor and gossiped among themselves about the magistrates and the men who were responsible for their imprisonment.

They had every right to be upset and every right to be depressed but instead they prayed and sang praise to God! They made a deliberate choice like others before them to rejoice in the midst of their suffering!

This is certainly not our natural response to unjust suffering and conflict but through the power of the Spirit of God each of us can rightly respond to persecution and injustice.

Why was their response so important? Others were listening! The other prisoners heard them and evidently so did the jailor.

The Rich Reward for their Response (Vs. 26-34)

Paul and Silas’s praise evidently caught the attention of this jailor who turned to them in the midst of a crisis situation. Their response in suffering had captured his interest and when he found himself in a moment of crisis he turned to these strange men.

As an earthquake shook the prison and released all the prisoners the jailor was on the verge of suicide when Paul cried out to him.

The jailor having heard these men pray and sing praises to their God quickly came to them to seek help and salvation.

He had a pressing question to ask and his question must have brought joy to the hearts of Paul and Silas as he asks how he can be saved!

There ought to be now sweeter seven words to the ear of any faithful Christian than someone asking “what must I do to be saved?”

Paul and Silas respond with an answer that is still quoted some 2000 years later “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”

Their simple answer surely must have brought joy and peace to the heart of this jailor!

If Paul and Silas had responded otherwise we would likely never read of such an encounter but because they rejoiced in a time of crisis and suffering and entire family became believers in Christ.

We must recognize that our response in times of injustice, persecution, suffering, and crisis is under observation a lost world and it may be that our right response in these moments would capture their attention and cause them to look to us in their own moments of crisis.