and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves.” This means that we ought to have a wisdom on how to respond to the attacks of these wolves [those opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ], and this is only by the working of the Holy Spirit in us, it was never reported anywhere in Scripture that Paul abused them that persecuted him, he instead prayed for them. Why did he do this? Couldn’t he fight them? Couldn’t he call fire from heaven? This praying was by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, as we know how flesh and blood responds to situations, as it is always opposed to the way the Spirit does its things. This means that the more the persecution arose, the more the Gospel was preached and penetrated the hearts of men. Glory to God. By the working of the Holy Spirit, it was evident that men [believers] were not beside themselves as they had indeed
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