The Spirit's Effective Fruit

Acts 20:32-34 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
 
EPHESIAN craftsmen caused an uproar because the Ephesian church was growing. More Christians reduced the number of people who worshiped the goddess Artemis. Fewer people purchased Artemus images. A crowd gathered in response to the loud objections. But many did not know why they were there. Riots don’t need a reason. Galatians 5:15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. The battle raging within pours out to needlessly harm others, even if that is not our desire.
   This life-destroying infection contrasts sharply to God’s life-giving power: Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law…22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 
   But then peace prevailed.
 
Acts 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today’s events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
 
Paul would have thanked God there was a city clerk who exhibited patience, goodness and self-control. The Spirit’s influence can and does cause non-believers to exhibit the Spirit’s fruit. This happened in many circumstances throughout the Bible. The church, too, has experienced peace when the Spirit has inclined governments to allow the gospel to be taught in their countries.  
   Paul then left Ephesus in peace: Acts 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.