A Pestilent Person

Question: what is a pestilent person?  This word could be translated troublemaker and could have been said about any of the disciples, or Jesus Himself, and probably was at one time or other, even though it wasn’t the truth in most cases, outside of possibly Judas Iscariot.  One of my Bibles says pest for this word, and this is said of people at times that try to proclaim truth to people that don’t want to hear it.

This was said of Paul when He appeared before Governor Felix, by a man who was a special orator for the Jews who stood against what Paul was preaching.  He was trying to have Paul killed by Felix after a failed attempt by the Jews who vowed that they would kill him.  Have you ever been called a troublemaker because of your faith and your willingness to share the Word?  I am sure over the years I have been called much worse but I haven’t suffered anything like what Paul did.  Anyone who knows about the apostle Paul and his ministry knows how much he suffered for his faith and testimony, which Ananias was told about before Paul even started his ministry.  

Read what it says in Acts 9:10-19:

“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’

And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’

So the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.’

Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’

But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.”

If the church of God all around the world had the same attitude that Paul had, there would be a lot more being done to further the cause of Christ in the world. What Paul said in Acts 21:13 explains his way of looking at things like suffering, persecution or even death, “Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’”

Paul was very dedicated and very faithful and committed to sharing the gospel or the good news with whoever would listen regardless of the cost.

Paul said this also in Romans 1:14-17:

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

If we all had the same mindset as Paul, we would all be called troublemakers possibly, but we would also see men, women and young people converted and that would be a great thing.  

Have you witnessed to anyone lately or are you leaving that up to someone else?  If you have, and you have been called a troublemaker, pestilent or a pest, you are in good company, don’t give up!  People need to hear the good news today, maybe more than any other time, because we are living in the end of the end times.  Something to think about!  God bless and have a great day!!