Thank you for joining us today as we read Acts 14 through 16. This is a rare treat for me—I’m writing this devotional for your morning reading, but if you’re in the Tucson, Arizona area, I’ll also be preaching this message today at Sandario Baptist Church. You can watch online via Facebook or YouTube.
These chapters speak to three powerful themes: tension, transformation, and testimony.
Tension: Poisoned Minds and Divided Hearts
Tension can be harmful. I’ve seen it in families. My family has always been close, but for several years, a fight between my sisters made gatherings uncomfortable. No one asked us to take sides, but the tension was thick. I wanted to heal the rift, but didn’t know how.
At work, it was daily. One manager would ask me to train agents, while another would tell me not to. I had to prepare materials I might never use. Stress wears you down—and it’s a major contributor to heart disease, stroke, and even weakened immunity. It’s also one of the top causes of divorce in America. ¹
Tension has also fractured the Church. The Great Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation in 1517 are historic examples. Even in our own church, I’ve seen disagreements lead people to leave—not just for other churches, but sometimes for other faiths.
In Acts 14:1–2, Jews and Greeks were worshiping together in Iconium, but some Jews stirred up the Gentiles and “poisoned their minds” against the believers. When the world sees Christians arguing, it’s confusing. As the Dalai Lama once said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” ²
Later, in Acts 15:6–11, the apostles debated circumcision. Though the apostles settled the matter through wise counsel, Paul still circumcised Timothy—not for salvation, but for mission. Timothy’s Jewish mother had raised him in the faith, and Paul knew that without circumcision, Jewish audiences wouldn’t listen (Acts 16:1–3). John Piper explains this well in his article “Why Was Timothy Circumcised?” ³
Then there are people who seem to carry tension with them. In Acts 16:16–17, a demon-possessed girl follows Paul, shouting that he’s proclaiming “a way” of salvation. In Greek, the phrase lacks the definite article—she’s not saying the way, but a way. That’s a problem. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Transformation: Grace That Changes Us
Adrian Rogers once said, “Jesus will take you as you are, but He won’t leave you that way.” In Acts 14:8–10, Paul heals a man crippled from birth. The crowd responds by calling Paul and Barnabas gods—Zeus and Hermes—and tries to offer sacrifices (Acts 14:11–13). But when Paul refuses their worship, they turn on him and stone him, dragging him out of the city (Acts 14:19).
People’s hearts are fickle. But God’s grace is not.
Coming to faith in Jesus should transform us. God purifies our hearts—not because of anything we do, but by grace through faith (Acts 15:9–11). And He expects us to extend that grace to others. In Matthew 18:21–35, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant: a man forgiven a massive debt refuses to forgive a small one. Jesus warns, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (v. 35). ⁴
Testimony: Living What We Believe
Our testimony should draw people to Jesus—not confuse them, like the demon-possessed girl’s false witness. Lydia’s story is different. She responded to Paul’s message and brought Jesus home to her family (Acts 16:14–15). I believe her example helped Timothy come to faith.
I’ve seen this at our church. Moms bring their kids to AWANA or VBS, but their husbands never come. Some are busy. Others just won’t. That sends a confusing message to children. We need to be like Lydia—leading our families to Jesus.
Paul and Silas modeled this too. Imprisoned and facing execution, they sang hymns and praised God (Acts 16:25). When the earthquake opened the prison doors, they didn’t flee. Their integrity led the jailer to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). He believed—and so did his entire household (Acts 16:31–34).
What kind of testimony do you have? When people see you, are they drawn to Jesus—or do they even know you follow Him? A bumper sticker or T-shirt isn’t enough. I’ve seen people wearing “Jesus” gear walk away from my book table like I’m selling garlic to vampires.
We’ll be doing cardboard testimonies soon, but your life should be a living testimony every day. In season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Maybe today is the day to ask God for strength and courage. Or maybe it’s the day to meet Jesus for the first time.
Footnotes
- American Psychological Association. Stress in America 2025. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2025
- People often attribute it to Mahatma Gandhi, although there is a debate about the exact source.
- John Piper, “Why Was Timothy Circumcised?” Desiring God, March 7, 1983. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-was-timothy-circumcised
- Matthew 18:21–35, ESV. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A21-35&version=ESV