Stirred by the Spirit

“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols” (Acts 17:16, NKJV).

When the apostle Paul looked out at the idolatrous multitudes in Athens, his spirit was moved. Likewise, as I look out my apartment window every evening, gazing upon the masses in Manhattan, I experience what Paul felt. I see many beautiful buildings, from the Midtown skyline to the Statue of Liberty, yet they all appear as tombstones. They are full of the walking dead, multitudes of people dying and going to hell. I have to cry out daily, “Lord, we need you! We cannot do anything to reach these people without your guidance and power.” 

Jesus knew everything his church would be facing today: the overwhelming opposition and the many obstacles. He also knew exactly what would happen to our society. He knew there would be a moral landslide, that humanity would wax worse and worse, and that an angry devil would spew out a river of hell against his church. 

Jesus would not have sent out his disciples without their knowing that the power given to them would be more than sufficient to meet every need and opposition. These men who had run in fear when the soldiers came for him were timid, fearful, unskilled and untrained. Yet Jesus knew that when fully yielded to the Holy Ghost, these men would work miracles, put demons to flight, and overcome every adversary and challenge. 

I believe Jesus’s words to his helpless disciples apply to us today: “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). 

In essence, Jesus said, “If you try to evangelize in your own strength, you will fall on your face after a short time. I know the battles and obstacles you face, and I will give you a power greater than any in the universe. You will be able to stand up to kings, princes, and governments with authority over demons and principalities. However, you cannot do anything for me unless you are full of the Holy Ghost.” 

Beloved, how long has it been since you wept for the lost? Let’s pray for our hearts to be stirred by the Spirit to reach them with the gospel.