Evil Affection

Acts 14:1-3 KJV

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Paul and Barnabas “so spake” that a multitude of people were persuaded and believed. Both Jews and Greeks came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and were saved.

But not everyone.

Those who rejected their message had a voice too. They too were persuasive. They too “so spake” that they stirred up unbelievers that their minds were "evil affected". They caused that the lost not only remained so but that they hated those who believed.

We had better settle in our minds that there is another spirit in this world besides the Holy Spirit. That spirit of Satan hates everything to do with Christ. That spirit of the devil is capable of blinding men's eyes and hiding the gospel from them and of stirring up adversaries who "evil affect" the minds of those around us.

When Barnabas and Paul recognized this evil affection they chose to abide there a long time. They did not flee. They did not give up. They did not soften their tone. They spoke boldly about Jesus Christ.

This world has become, it seems to me, increasingly evil affected against Christianity. That is no reason to back down but all the more reason to be bold about our faith.