13th Sep 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
The wicked schemes
Acts 16 - Series 04/Episode 17 - Sun 02nd August 2026 - The wicked schemes - Acts 16:16-40 - EXPERIENCES AT PHILIPPI - Psalms 37:12-15
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Acts 16:19-21 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. (20) And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; (21) and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe."
The accusation, "they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe"-was a deliberate legal trap exploiting Roman law, Roman pride, and Philippi's status as a Roman colony. We see here how the masters of the slave girl came up with a brilliantly wicked scheme to spite and hurt Paul and the team. This is what we see happening today: those who are against the Gospel plan and execute wicked schemes against the people of the Lord.
Psalms 37:12-15 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. (13) The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming. (14) The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. (15) Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken. This is the truth that we must keep in mind as wicked people seem to succeed with their evil plans.
This is the outcome of all those who plan and execute wicked schemes against the Lord's anointed. Psalms 64:4-8 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless; Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. (5) They encourage themselves in an evil matter; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, "Who will see them?" (6) They devise iniquities: "We have perfected a shrewd scheme." Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. (7) But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they shall be wounded. (8) So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; All who see them shall flee away.
Three key historical factors made the charge made by the slave masters powerful:
1. Philippi was a Roman colony - Philippi was not just a city in Macedonia-it was a miniature Rome, populated by retired Roman soldiers and governed by Roman law. Its citizens were proud of their Roman identity. So, when Paul and Silas were accused of introducing foreign religious practices, it struck at the heart of Roman civic loyalty.
2. Roman law restricted unauthorised religions
Rome allowed many local religions, but it was strictly illegal to introduce a new religion without state approval. The word "customs" refers to religious rites, and the charge implied that Paul and Silas were promoting an unregistered, potentially subversive religion. This made the accusation sound like: "These men are undermining Roman law and Roman religious order." That is a political crime, not merely a religious disagreement.
3. The slave-owners used a clever strategy
The real issue was economic-Paul had destroyed their profitable fortune‑telling business. Instead of complaining about lost income (which would not sway a court), they framed the matter as: disturbing the peace, promoting illegal religious customs, and threatening Roman identity. This was "cunning and artful".
Though the world may come up with cunning and artful ways to accuse and shut down the Gospel, we must know that our Lord is sovereign over all the schemes of man. Psalms 140:2-7 Who plan evil things in their hearts; They continually gather together for war. (3) They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah (4) Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to make my steps stumble. (5) The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set traps for me. Selah (6) I said to the LORD: "You are my God; Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. (7) O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
The Lord is showing that we will encounter the evil and crooked schemes of people of the world to work against the work of the kingdom of God. Yet, the Lord is our God, and He will cover our heads in the day of battle. The Lord is inviting us to follow His steps.
I Peter 2:19-23 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (22) "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH"; (23) who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
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