Acts 15:30-41 (KJV)

³⁰ So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

³¹ Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

³² And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

³³ And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

³⁴ Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

³⁵ Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

³⁶ And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

³⁷ And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

³⁸ But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

³⁹ And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

⁴⁰ And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Consider that God had purpose in these men’s lives. We all want to find our purpose in God’s Kingdom and if we can see how God purposed Himself in these men, then perhaps that will help us discover how God might purpose Himself in us.

Find purpose in these men’s lives according to what God was doing in these moment.

Luke 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Here are disciples who have walked with Jesus for three years and they are afraid to ask Him a simple question? The only reason I can think of that they did not want to ask is the same reason I would not questions in class, I did not want to look stupid.

I’ve come to believe that there are no stupid questions, only simple or difficult answers. The last thing any of us should do is leave lingering doubts in our minds. The devil feeds off doubts and fears.

At a minimum we should engage someone we trust and ask simply, “Did I hear right?” That places you in a neutral position, being neither haughty nor abased. We all have moment when we doubt our senses and the older I get the less dependable is my memory. It is an easy out, not suspicious, genuine and an opportunity to open dialogue.

That also works when your beliefs are challenged. We all desire to be right on important issues. We are told to rightly divide the Word, and when our understandings are challenged, we need to find a way of clarifying what has been said. I know I have misspoken at times and did not catch it until someone asked for clarification.

I do not want to mislead anyone but I have to admit I’ve been told that my conclusions sometimes need to be tied back to scripture that supports what I’ve said. If we cannot back up what we think and say with scripture, then where do our beliefs come from?

Here is a rule of thumb; if you feel like you are back peddling, you are not standing on good footing.