Acts 4:19 – A Memory Verse and Reflection Questions about Listening to God

A Memory Verse

As we go through life, it can be tempting to go along with the crowd to avoid conflict and stress, but in the long run, staying silent is not the answer when it comes to justice, kindness, and following Jesus. Acts 4:19 provides a powerful reminder of why we should avoid complacency in our words and actions.

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,”
Acts 4:19 (WEB)

Just before this verse, Peter and John were seen continuing Jesus’ ministry of healing and teaching the crowds about him. The religious leaders showed frustration and arrested the two men. The following day, they brought Peter and John in for questioning, and Peter challenged them with a powerful question: is it better to listen to humans or to God? What could the religious leaders say that wouldn’t make them appear foolish in front of the crowd? It is wisdom like this that we need to weather the storms of life!

Fortunately, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who has promised to help us develop the fruit of the Spirit. Each time we interact with someone who is against us, we should pull out one or more of these traits and use them to further God’s kingdom. In our memory verse, Peter managed to use goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (WEB)

Of course, choosing to listen to God may sometimes lead to opposition and even persecution from those who don’t agree with our beliefs. However, the reassuring truth is that when we have the Holy Spirit within us, our souls will always be secure, regardless of what happens to our physical bodies. When we place our full trust in God, the Holy Spirit will empower us to withstand and endure any challenges that come our way with joy and peace.

¹Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; ²through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: ⁵and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5 (WEB)

While endurance may not be pleasant, joy can be found in both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances. Just because an elderly person has cancer, it does not mean that joy cannot be found in celebrating the birth of a grandchild. One incredibly unfortunate circumstance should not dictate our whole outlook on life. God gives us many blessings, even while in the midst of severe trial; let’s go out and find these blessings!

Reflection Questions

Do you prefer to go with the crowd or stand your ground? Why?
Which situations do you tend to go with the crowd?
Which situations do you tend to stand your ground?
Which fruit of the Spirit are you using, or not using, in each of these scenarios?
Regardless of whether the outcomes of these situations were positive or negative, were you able to find joy and see blessing from God? If not, go back, rethink the situation, and see if you can find something that should have caused joy.

Reflective Prayer

Use this memory verse to pray using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication

Adoration: Praise God. Does this verse bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this verse bring any specific sins to mind?
Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this verse inspire gratitude?
Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this verse inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.