“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica; for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11
“Noble character” is when you want truth more than you want to be right.
Acts 17 starts with Paul preaching the Gospel to the Jews of Thessalonica. Although a strong church is born there, most of the Jews in Thessalonica are characterized as “jealous” (v5) because Paul’s preaching was taking away their power and control. The message of Jesus Christ meant the reason they were leaders and successful wasn’t important anymore. And instead of wanting the truth for themselves and all the people they led, they wanted to be right and keep control.
The Jews of Berea are said to be “of more noble character” because they were hungry for the truth even if it meant they were wrong and would lose the power they had. Instead of defending their position and power, they “examined the Scriptures every day” (v11) to see if God was indeed speaking through Paul.
So, how about you? Do want God’s truth more than you want to be right? Are you willing to have less control or become less important if Jesus is doing something new in those around you? Can you give power away for the sake of what God’s Kingdom is doing next?
Let’s admit it. All of us get stuck in the past (comfort) and all of us want to be right (pride). So often, God is doing a new thing through people around us (maybe even through our kids) that challenge our comfort and our pride. Like the Thessalonians, we are tempted to “shoot the messenger” instead of examine the new message according to the Scripture.
Today, be a person of noble character. Want the truth more than you want to be right.