God's Holy Fire: 'Bickering Can Block God's Message'

Friday, December 4, 2026

When the unbelievers got cantankerous and started bickering with each other, Paul interrupted: "I have just one more thing to say to you. The Holy Spirit sure knew what he was talking about when he addressed our ancestors through Isaiah the prophet: 'Go to this people and tell them this: You're going to listen with your ears, but you won't hear a word; you're going to stare with your eyes, but you won't see a thing.'"
— Acts 28:25-26 MSG

Key Thought

Paul had traveled over much of the northern Mediterranean world. Everywhere he traveled, he shared the message of Jesus. In today's verses, we find him under house arrest in Rome as he is awaiting a trial, yet able to receive guests. To his utter amazement - and I'm sure some consternation - his guests on this day bicker about the story of Jesus. They won't accept the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as proof that he is God's Messiah and their Savior. The fussing and bickering that ensue remind Paul that the Holy Spirit had foretold these things through Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit is God making his truth known in prophecy, Scripture, interpretation, and insight. This Holy Presence of God within us - God revealing the truth to us - is truly a gift.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I thank you for you as Jesus my Savior. I thank you for you as my Abba Father. I thank you for you as the Holy Spirit who has revealed you and made your words known over the centuries. I thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 28:25-26 MSG — "I have just one more thing to say to you."

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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