“At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.” (Acts 14:1-2)

Witnessing for Jesus is not easy. When Paul and Barnabas reached Iconium they went to the Jewish synagogue to share the Good News about the Messiah, Jesus. “They spoke so effectively” this Good News because the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. The Word and the Spirit created believers in Jesus. Yet, there were those who resisted the Spirit and rejected Him. Here they caused trouble, trying to confuse people’s minds to reject Jesus. But for those upon which the Grace of God created faith in Jesus it became very difficult for them to turn on Him.

Paul and Barnabas were not about bringing an uncertain faith into people’s lives. What they offered was real Truth about God’s love for humankind. The Jesus they shared about was real and certain. The Holy Spirit made this clear. Jesus became the only Way, Truth and Life for those who believed. Once a person is in this secure faith, their mind is stayed on Jesus. Satan’s arrows of poisonous doubt bounce off one’s mind. Yes, new believers are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks of doubt but the Spirit is persistent in securing their Saving Faith in Jesus.

Heavenly Father, secure our faith more and more as Satan and the world try to bring doubts into our minds. We cannot avoid these attacks, but we can prepare for them by putting on the full armor You call for us to put on as Paul writes in Ephesians 6. Put this Godly Armor on us each day, making us secure in a Saving Faith in Jesus.

In His name. Amen.

Pastor Robert Forsberg is retired from Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Fairborn.