SATURDAY February 4, 2023
Consider Your Actions
When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.”
Acts 5:33-35
The elders of Israel were furious and came to the point of plotting murder! Yet a well-known Pharisee named Gamaliel stood for the Apostles. He was very much respected as an incredible teacher of the Word of God. Interestingly, Gamaliel was Saul’s teacher. Saul studied under him before he was converted to Christianity and changed his name to Paul. In his testimony to the Jews in Acts 22:3, Gamaliel was mentioned:
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.”
At Gamaliel’s word, the Apostles were placed outside so they could not hear what was about to be discussed. In his wisdom, Gamaliel asked the Jewish council to reconsider their actions and to think hard about the consequences of coming against the Apostles. What was the council’s intent? They wanted to kill the Apostles. Imagine, these were the religious leaders of God’s people. Yet they were considering murder as an option to rid themselves of men they considered to be a threat!
Have you ever became so furious that you considered harming another person? Did someone wisely step into the situation to give you wise counsel to help stop you from doing something you would later regret? Thank God for people like that in your life. The Apostle James instructed …let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).
Do not let anger get the best of you. Consider your actions today.
To be angry about trifles is mean and childish; to rage and be furious is brutish; and to maintain perpetual wrath is akin to the practice and temper of devils; but to prevent and suppress rising resentment is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.
~Isaac Watts~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
