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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Paul Recognizes the Truth of Scripture
Devo: Unstoppable!
"[Paul had spoken to the Jewish leaders in Rome all day. He had reasoned with them from the Scriptures that Jesus was both Lord and Messiah, and some...."
Spirit-Foretold
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"And after [the Jewish leaders in Rome] had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: "The Holy Spirit was right when he...."
Mustard Seed Effect
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the King of Glory, The kingdom of heaven is powerful. You are a part of that kingdom. You are a child of the King. Great power is at..."
Finally in Rome!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Paul finally arrived in Rome in the concluding chapter of Acts. As you have seen over the last several days of reading, the journey..."

Illustration

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

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 4, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 2:15-16
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Phillips Brooks:
"The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Stacking the Deck Against Paul' (Acts 24:1-2)
"Five days [after the Roman troops took Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea,] Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'No Private Matter' (Jn. 18:19-21)
"Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. Jesus replied, "Everyone knows what I teach. I have..."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations