So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:15-17

Last time we considered the relationship between human wisdom and idolatry…

In this post we want to learn from Paul’s example how we ought to respond to those deceived by the idolatry of human wisdom. Paul didn’t angrily write these people off. Instead, he was “provoked” (by the Holy spirit) to point these people to Christ.

Please note Paul’s tactic when debating those in error (no matter what the error is). He did not set out merely to win an argument, or to expose their error. In all of Paul’s ministry, regardless of what the person’s problem was, he pointed them to Christ and the gospel. (Read verses 23 and following.)

This is important because some get side-tracked debating a specific error and never get to the one and only answer to every problem: Christ and the gospel.

As we encounter all sorts of errors in this world (no matter what they are), let us address the errors with the truth, which is, and always will be Christ and the gospel.