They Lifted Up Their Voices

"And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.  And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air."  Acts 22:22-23.  Some people will only listen so much.  They will hear as long as the word pleases them.  This audience became enraged.  They displayed their displeasure.  They did not simply turn a deaf ear.  Anger overtook them.  Hostility darkened their heart.  Not only did they close their ears to truth, but they sought to silence the messenger.  This has been a common attitude throughout time.  We hear as long as we agree.  But God's truth can have a disagreeing tone.  God's word invades the heart.  It awakens the spirit.  The word of God makes us see ourselves as we really are.  The word takes away the mask.  The word will change us if we will allow it to do so.  That is the power of truth.  We can be hostile toward the word, but the word will not change.  We can silence the messenger, but the message will not die.  Anger at the word will not convert us.  The word must speak to our heart and we must listen.  Hearts that hear become changed hearts.