Persuasion is a powerful force that shapes our beliefs, decisions, and ultimately, our eternity. Every day, voices compete for our attention—advertisers, news media, friends, family, and even our own doubts. But the most important question is: Who are you listening to?
Children experience this from an early age. When they are babies, parents encourage them to stand up and talk. Yet as they grow older, they are told to sit down and be quiet. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly influenced by the voices around us. What we believe, how we act, and where we will spend eternity are all affected by persuasion.
One of the most famous examples of persuasion happened in 1938 when Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of War of the Worlds caused mass hysteria. It was a fictional story, but because it was presented as a real-time news broadcast, many believed that Martians were invading Earth. This shows that persuasion is not just a tool—it is a force that can move people to action, for better or worse.
In Acts 26, the Apostle Paul stands before King Agrippa and Governor Festus, boldly testifying of his faith in Christ. Agrippa responds in verse 28, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Almost—but not fully. This tragic hesitation cost Agrippa everything, showing us that persuasion can lead to salvation or to eternal loss, depending on how we respond.
1. The Skeptic: Festus Dismisses the Truth
When Paul speaks of Christ’s resurrection, Festus interrupts with ridicule, saying in verse 24, "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." He outright rejects the gospel, dismissing it as nonsense. Skepticism is nothing new. Many today dismiss Christianity as outdated or irrational. 1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." Those who refuse to hear the truth may laugh at faith, but their rejection does not change reality.
2. The Hesitant: Agrippa’s Fatal Delay
Unlike Festus, Agrippa listens. Paul’s testimony stirs him. But instead of surrendering to Christ, he holds back, saying, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Almost—but not quite.
How many people today acknowledge the truth but hesitate? Pride, fear, or attachment to sin keeps them from fully committing to Christ. But "almost saved" is still completely lost. Like a man who refuses to get into a lifeboat as the Titanic sinks, Agrippa’s hesitation cost him everything.
Imagine boarding a plane for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. You check your bags, get your ticket, and even step onto the jet bridge—but at the last second, you hesitate and turn back. You were almost on the flight. But being almost on the plane means you never took off. That’s the danger of being “almost persuaded” when it comes to faith. Jesus doesn’t call us to partial belief—He calls us to full surrender.
3. The Committed: Paul’s Conviction
Paul is fully persuaded. He declares in verse 29, "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." Nothing could shake his faith—not prison, persecution, or the opinions of others.
Paul’s certainty reminds us of Romans 8:38-39: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul had encountered the risen Christ. His life reflected his unwavering belief.
4. The Shaped: The Power of Influence
Many people don’t outright reject the truth like Festus, nor do they hesitate like Agrippa. Instead, they are subtly shaped by their surroundings. Our upbringing, traditions, and education influence how we think and what we believe.
Mark Twain once said, “It’s easier to fool a man than to convince him that he has been fooled.” This is true in both secular culture and religion. People grow up believing what they were taught without ever examining whether it aligns with God’s Word. Paul warns in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
If we do not intentionally listen to God’s voice, the world will shape us without our realizing it.
Who Has Your Ear?
We are constantly shaped by the voices we allow into our lives. The world bombards us with messages that pull us away from truth. But Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Whose voice are you listening to?
Many people, like Agrippa, remain “almost persuaded” for years. They hear the gospel but refuse to surrender.
In the movie Sheffey, there was a woman who symbolized this struggle. She would listen from a distance but never step inside to hear the full message. She defiantly threw down a red rose, representing her rejection of Christ. Year after year, she came back, only to turn away once more.
But at the end of Robert Sheffey’s life, something changed. When he was buried, after everyone else left the cemetery, this woman quietly approached his grave. Instead of a red rose of defiance, she dropped a white rose—a symbol of surrender.
How many people stand at the edge of faith, unwilling to fully commit? How many reject the gospel only to regret it when it’s too late? The question is: What will you do? Will you throw down the white rose of surrender and give your life to Christ today?
If you have never trusted Christ, do not be like Agrippa, almost persuaded but still lost. Surrender fully. If you are saved, be like Paul—firm in your faith, unshaken by the world. The voices you listen to will determine your direction in life and in eternity. Choose wisely.
If this article encouraged you, we invite you to watch or listen to the full sermon The Power of Persuasion: Who Has Your Ear? by Pastor Rick Brooks.
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