"Have I Therefore Become Your Enemy?"

Paul did some straight talking to the churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:1-2) when he said, “I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain” (Gal. 4:11). He went on to say:

“Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16).

Paul knew how people generally react when they are told something they do not want to hear (cf. Acts 13:44-50; Acts 22:19-22). Can there be any justification for such an attitude? Does it change the facts of the matter? Will it answer any argument? Has it strengthened the position of the angry individual? Is it not a childish response, made sinful by the accountability of those we assume to be adults? Is not the sin compounded when it is the action of one claiming to be a Christian?

“It’s not true, it’s not true,” the person shouts. Then why is he upset? Does he react in the same manner to every truth he hears? If this is “righteous indignation” at error, will he sit down for a calm consideration of the matter?

Who are we fooling? Not even ourselves — for experience has taught us that people are “cut to the heart” when their conscience disagrees with the truth being taught (Acts 7:54). It is the conflict within ourselves that stirs our anger (a defense mechanism), and he who tells us the truth suddenly becomes our “enemy” because he has invaded our little fort of defense.

Let’s ask ourselves, “Do folks really love God’s truth to the point where they are willing to diligently search for it?” (Acts 17:11).

Beloved, let’s pray that all men have a “truth lover — truth seeker” attitude (Proverbs 2:3-6; cf. Matthew 13:45-46), as we study God’s word together aligning our will with God’s will (Isaiah 1:18; cf. Amos 3:3; Matthew 7:21).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets