Acts 24:5-6 - For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
Dear friend, these two verses should remind us that believers in Christ will not always be seen as light-bearers whom others envy. Rather, we will more likely be regarded like Paul was, a pest, a plague and a troublemaker.
These were the very words that came from the well-known Jewish lawyer Tertullus back in the day, and his description actually rings true how some people still see believers in Christ in 2026 - causing a disturbance when we don’t keep our faith to ourselves and proclaim that Jesus is the only way.
The Greek word λοιμὸν (loimon) means: a plague, a pest, something that must certainly be eradicated before it infects and influences others.
Not the type of
description most Christians would like to be known as, yet it’s true.
So, here’s the thing, just like Paul, every believer in Christ should understand that our faith in Jesus Christ is not private or personal, for it cannot go unnoticed by others in the world. True faith in Christ will also come across as threatening to some unbelievers and will quite often rub others the wrong way.
As soon as we, like Paul, stand up for the truth in Christ and unashamedly live out of who Jesus made us, we will come across as a plague, a pest, or as Tertullus said: a creator of dissension.
Paul’s faith in Christ drew many people to Christ, but it also rubbed people in the wrong way, because he unashamedly proclaimed: JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY.
Not "Jesus plus this" or Jesus plus that" or "Jesus plus the other," only Jesus.
Paul did not share Christ as an option among other gods, he made known that Christ is Lord, the only Deliverer, the only Saviour, the only Way through whom everyone will truly be busy with God.
Until this very Thursday, people you talk to are okay with God in general, but as soon as you bring Jesus into the conversation, everything changes and you will often be branded as a creator of dissension and a pest for doing so.
But don’t forget, Jesus said we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and even though there will be those who oppose Christ, remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God, for there are also those who will be drawn to Him!
Amen