Acts 16:20-22 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes wand commanded them to be beaten with rods.

Let me encourage you in something: Don’t be intimidated into silence when the world is telling you that you need to shut up because your “Bible thumping” offends the culture. Instead, thank them for letting you know, and then smile and continue to thump. The Urban Dictionary defines “Bible Thumper” in this way: One who uses the Bible to attack/defame others’ characters instead of as a guide to proper living. There is so much wrong with that, but let’s start here, let’s acknowledge that there has been a lot of damage done by people who handle the Word of God in an unworthy manner. It’s a life saver, not a sledge hammer. Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone.” Yet Christians have been and still are guilty of stoning people with the Bible instead of presenting people with the grace of God.

But, you know what else is wrong with that definition? I’m going to let you in on a secret. People who say, “The Bible is just a guide to proper living” never use the Bible as their guide to proper living. So that argument is a deflection from what’s important. Unsaved people naturally do not want to hear the gospel, for as the Bible says, it is an offense. But unsaved people desperately need to hear the gospel; they need to hear the truth. So thump away. Oh yeah, people will hate you. And yeah, people will exclude you. People will call your good words evil. When you speak the Word of God, they will say that you are speaking hate.

People will say that your speaking of God’s Word is imposing beliefs upon them. Have you noticed that? Why is it that just speaking scripture these days makes people accuse Christians of imposing it upon them? It’s because of conviction. They know they are guilty of sin and when faced with God’s Word they are faced with a choice. Perhaps you are faced with a choice this morning? If it’s to receive Jesus, I hope you will do that.

But maybe it’s not whether to receive Jesus but perhaps it’s another choice that while not of eternal consequence, is still something important. The Bible is not just the guide, but the blueprint and not just for proper living, but for godly and abundant living. I want to encourage you in making your decision to go to God’s Word and pray for His guidance. The Holy Spirit will lead you if you are desiring to be lead by Him.