2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the gospel. Acts 14:2-7

The people – the agitators – who stirred up the people were as passionate about getting their message out as Paul and Barnabas were about getting theirs out. We can’t know for sure but probably the agitators believed that they were doing God a favor in trying to rid their town of such heresy. They crossed a line, however, when they wanted to stone and abuse the preachers.

It’s a fact that we all have people who oppose what we do for one reason or another. Some may go out of their way to put obstacles in front of us.

We see that in the political world and have for years. A president proposes something and immediately a vocal minority rises up to oppose it. Nowadays, though, anything the president proposes is met with loud and violent demonstrations. Some of these protesters are even paid to do it because someone with a lot of money and influence doesn’t want the Administration’s plans to succeed.

The solution is simple to say but difficult to carry out: stick to your message. Paul and Barnabas stood their ground and even stayed a while in the same region despite those who opposed them.

If you’re speaking truth into people’s lives, you will be opposed. It’s the nature of truth.