Scripture Post #1,185: *FLIP-FLOP*

Acts 28:6:

"Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."

Disclaimer: The image used for this Scripture Post, in its original form, was from an image search engine. It is not an image of my own.

Context:

Acts 28:1: "And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita." 

V. 2: "And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold."

V. 3: "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand."

V. 4: "And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live."

V. 5: "And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." 

V. 6: "Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."

The Apostle Paul had a poisonous snake on his hand and the Natives of the land where this happened, witnessing this, thought that Paul was a goner. They thought he'd die for sure. Because of the sins of his past. And then, suddenly, when the snake did Paul no harm, they instantly made a *FLIP-FLOP* in who they deemed Paul to be. He went from a sinner who was getting his just deserts, to a god who had power to make poisonous snakes flee! People do this constantly. Some are indecisive about their religion. So they'll religion-hop. Some will change their sexual-orientation. Others may change their views on government or political parties. When it comes to our beliefs, we should be certain to be consistent. This is done best when we prove all things, and hold to our beliefs only once they've been proven to be true. Those who made assumptions about Paul, did just that: they assumed. They proved nothing. Don't allow anyone to challenge your beliefs without concrete, proven evidence. 

1st Thess. 5:21: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

Some of us have nothing to worry about; GOD's just been too good for us to stop believing in HIM!

Originally Published: Fri. 12/11/15