NO TRUTH IN THE TUMULT
ACTS 21:33-34; 37-38 NKJV
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. 37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I speak to you?" He replied, "Can you speak Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?"
Tumult: a great noise as of a crowd; a disorderly commotion or disturbance; a state of agitation of the mind or emotions.
Paul had come to Jerusalem and was in the temple when some of the Jews recognized him. Paul had been reaching mass numbers of people all over the world with the good news of Jesus. Many who responded to his message were Jews who then exalted Jesus over Moses and the Law.
The Jews who still clung to Moses and the Law were furious with Paul and were in the process of beating him to death.
When the commander of all the Roman army stationed in Jerusalem heard about the uproar, he came running to the temple area accompanied by many soldiers.
This commander asked about why they were beating Paul but could not get a solid answer. Some were yelling one thing. Another group was yelling another. The commander could not ascertain the truth from the tumult. This agitated, disorderly crowd was not in possession of the truth.
Even the commander himself arrived at a conclusion about Paul that was wholly inaccurate.
This leader of Roman troops, obviously not an unintelligent man, determined that Paul was an Egyptian assassin who led a rebellion of four thousand assassins. What? Where did he get that?
APPLICATION:
Here is another example of why you don't look for truth in the tumult.
There are so many agitated, disturbed, disorderly voices out there today. But just because there is a large crowd, and they are stirred up, does not mean they are in possession of the truth.
Without a standard of truth, people can come up with some totally outlandish conclusions, such as calling Paul the leader of an assassin mob.
My point is to not look to the tumult, the agitated crowd, for truth. First, look to the scriptures. Look to New Testament revelation that is present in at least two to three scriptures.
And look to the witness of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. He is the Spirit of Truth.
And look to leadership whose lives have been vetted. There are God-given ways to ascertain truth.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father the noise of the tumult continues to become louder. Thank You for Your word and Your Holy Spirit that show me the way of truth. Your truth!