Acts 17:11
New International Version

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

For Meditation

The internet has opened a floodgate for sermons and teachings from everywhere. It is a good thing that there is an explosion of messages. The only problem is the quality and source of the message they put out there, which puts a lot of responsibility on the hearer. But with our time-conscious lifestyle these days, do people take the time to do due diligence to fact-check and reference the sources of these messages?

Paul had a tough time in Thessalonica with a band of jealous Jews who incited a riot against him and his Gospel companions (Acts 17:5-8). His approach to the Gospel proclamation proved effective in the synagogue. He reasoned with them from the scriptures. Paul carefully explained the scriptures and showed how the Messiah would suffer to death and resurrect (v.3). He then pointed to the Jesus he proclaimed to them as the Messiah. His message persuaded some Jews, many God-fearing Greeks, and a few prominent women (v.4). That is the effect of careful use and application of scriptures, which did not sit well with the jealous Jews who sought after their lives. The believers smuggled them out of town to Berea under cover of night (v.10).

Paul did not give up. He taught with the same conviction as in Thessalonica, but with an uncommon response from the Bereans. The word says the Bereans received the message with open minds, great eagerness, and careful examination of the scriptures for validation (v.11). They had a hunger for the word, so they welcomed the teaching of Paul. Yet, they made time to search the scriptures daily to make sure they were scripturally sound. Is it any wonder the Holy Spirit characterizes the Bereans as nobler than the Thessalonians?

That is our challenge in this message-saturated era of social media. These preachers and teachers on those platforms chasing us everywhere are savvy. They know what people want to hear and have the knack and charisma to deliver the word to meet their needs. An element of fear is a must in their messages to drive their point home and hold the listener spellbound.

May we watch out for them and stay away from their lanes before they pollute our hearts and ensnare us away from excellent biblical exposition, as Paul always espoused. We owe it to the Lord and ourselves.