Today's Passage:  Acts 20

One of the phrases I hated hearing as I grew up was "life's not fair."  As much as we'd like everyone to play by the same rules or to treat each other with respect, we know that there are people that will resort to anything to get their way...including false accusations with the intent to discredit and ruin someone of noble character.  In Acts 19, we heard just how a group who wanted financial gain used these tactics to try to ruin Paul.

How did Paul react?  He left.  He got away from these people.  We may want him to stand and fight, but he chooses peace.  He turns the other cheek.  We may want him to stand and fight for justice, but he instead chooses to protect the early church by simply calming the situation.

But he doesn't leave the early church wondering.  When he comes back near Ephesus, he arranges a meeting.  Listen carefully to what he says as he defends himself to the people who matter most...You know what I did while I was here, and it was all about the gospel...I'm not going to get to come back, so now you must protect yourselves...I have modeled for you how to life a life of holiness.  He simply speaks words of undeniable truth.

The best defense against the lies of the evil-minded?  Undeniable truth.  If we are living in the truth of God's word, we have nothing to fear!