My friend, preaching colleague, and fellow Hoosier, Max Dawson, writes a wonderful weekly column about Kingdom Leaders. Recently, he posted a lesson we can learn from a man outside the Kingdom. It’s a powerful example of how to deal with conflict, be a voice of reason, and pursue peace.
Our thoughts this morning come from a man who is not a believer in Jesus; he is not even a believer in the true God. Yet he teaches us a powerful lesson on leadership that applies to churches, families, and even nations!
You may think such a thing is not possible, but remember what Jesus said in Luke 16:8, “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Sometimes those of whom we would least expect it show the greatest wisdom.
Such is the case with the city clerk in Acts chapter nineteen. Following a number of conversions at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20), a remarkable thing took place. Many of those who had practiced magic made a public confession of their trickery and burned the very books that were used to teach their trickery. As a result, the word of God grew and prevailed!
However, all was not well at Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). Luke writes of a commotion that arose against Paul and the Christians in that city. A certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, started an uproar against the gospel. He gathered together other men of his craft and started a riot because of what Paul taught, “…that they are not gods who are made with hands” (v. 26). Of course, Paul spoke of the nature of the true God as opposed to the idolatry that was practiced in that city.
The whole city was stirred up against the Christians, so much so that some of Paul’s traveling companions were arrested. The mob gathered at the public theater, and for two hours shouted, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Emotions ran high, the voices grew louder, and reason seemed to disappear. Most of those who made up the mob did not even know why they had come together!
Then came the voice of reason. The city clerk spoke up and was able to calm the crowd. He did not shout or make threats. He explained the dilemma that the city faced if this riot was not quickly brought under control. Ephesus was allowed by Rome to exist as a “free city” with its own government. But if that local government failed to keep order, the Romans would likely remove that privilege (v. 40).
The city clerk was a peacemaker. Rather than adding fuel to the fire, he brought reason and calm. How many times in churches, nations, and families has a peacemaker been needed? This man brought understanding by explaining the situation and proposing a solution. He said, “If Demetrius has a case against anyone, let him take it to the courts” (v. 38).
The clerk appealed to the facts rather than emotions. He pointed out that there was no evidence against Paul or his companions (v. 37). He appealed to truth, not rumors.
He warned the crowd about the danger of mob behavior (v. 40). Disorder typically leads to destruction, while order leads to an environment of peace and understanding.
One man’s actions changed the direction of the entire city of Ephesus. His wise leadership prevented violence and saved the lives of Paul and his companions. The wisdom of the clerk saved the city from a brutal reaction from the Romans (v. 40).
Many people think of leadership as the ability to wield power. But sometimes it just means being the calming voice of reason in the room. When others were losing control of their emotions, the town clerk, an ordinary man who was not a Christian, was that voice!
The next time you are in some conflict, will you bring peace or confusion? Will you speak truth or spread rumors? Will you build others up or stir more conflict?
Learn a lesson in leadership from this non-believing city clerk!
