Turn the World Upside Down - by Phyllis Inniss

“But when they did not find them (Paul and Silas), they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “’These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’” (Acts 17:6)

The disciples, Peter and John, had caused such a stir with their boldness in preaching that the authorities knew that they were with Jesus (Acts 4:13) Jesus had told them not to worry about what they were to say because the “Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” will equip them. (Matt. 10: 19-20. They fearlessly stood up to preach in the synagogues on the Sabbath and drew crowds who marvelled that such ordinary men could speak with such eloquence. They incurred the envy of certain Jews who were bent on disrupting their meetings as their witness was so powerful that a rebellious mob cried out to the rulers, “these who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6) 

We, too, have to be so bold in our witness that others will realize that we know Jesus and are willing to obey His commandments: love God and our neighbours as ourselves. We must be humble as He was for the meek (not the coward) will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). We must restrain from anger for a soft answer turneth away wrath (Prov. 15:1). We can show those around us that we too have been with Jesus spiritually by the way we treat them with love, kindness, patience and forgiveness, and in so doing we can turn our own little world upside down.

Phyllis Inniss, retired teacher and author, lives in the Caribbean twin-Island of Trinidad & Tobago. She hopes to bring as many persons as possible to the Lord. Contact