A City Full of Idols - Acts 17

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

While this text is speaking of Athens, it could easily be said of America today.  We are a country full of idols: standard of living, social status, political party, your 'cause', being happy above all else, and the least of which is the mobile phone.

I am reminded of the story in Matthew 9:36, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were lost.  Similarly, Paul is distressed by what he sees, lost people. 

When was the last time you were distressed over seeing the people around you in society following idols?  

Are you too busy following your own to notice?  

We should be heartbroken that people so willingly give away their best life to follow worthless things.

 ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him.

Remember that Paul is in Athens.  This is the home of their modern day philosophy.

Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” ²¹ (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

For the sake of knowledge, these philosophers want to know what this new line of thinking is that Paul has brought.  I like this footnote regarding how they “did nothing”.  This reminds me of those who just want the latest fashion and who know every event that happens the second it happens.  They are so tied into society and social life that this is what they primarily do every day all day. 

Many employers have a difficult time with this new generation because they consistently spend time on their phones doing this social stuff instead of working.  The constant interruptions to thought make them bad employees, not to mention that they are getting paid for not working.  They are stealing from their employer, but sincerely do not recognize this when confronted.  Most will give up that job rather than change their habits.  It's incredible to see.  They give up what could be promising and fruitful careers because they will not give up "worshiping" on their social media.