Pastor’s Corner: “Teeth Grinders”
Acts 7:54 (NKJV) – Stephen the Martyr – 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
“Gnashing of teeth” is not a term or phrase that is used conversationally today but most of us have heard of it (from the Bible). Growing up, I did not know what “gnashing of teeth” meant until I was a little older, but even then I do not think I fully appreciated its complete meaning. Generally speaking, it is much more than just being angry.
Up until the last few years, being a Christian in this country was fairly comfortable. For the most part in the U.S. people were reasonably tolerable of differing beliefs, points of view and religion. Sure there were the extremes, but they were not the norm. Today, the extremes seem to be the norm. The illogical and overly emotion responses that we see in this country against base line Christian beliefs is astonishing. The Biblical picture of “gnashing teeth” is becoming real in our country today.
This is much more than normal anger. I believe that this is spiritually influenced by the enemy and his world system. It reminds me of this scripture –Mark 9:17-18 (NIV) – 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
“Gnashing with teeth” is actually an Old Testament term describing “someone who hates” and wants to “tear in his wrath” while gnashing his teeth (Job 16:9). They are the “enemies” of God who gnash their teeth (Lamentations 2:16)… being “hypocritical mockers” that gnash their teeth (Psalm 35:16)… full of “wickedness who plot against the just” while gnashing their teeth (Psalm 37:12)… “jealous of those who are blessed” and gnash their teeth (Psalm 112:10). They are generally unhappy, regretful and venomous who are generally considered “dark people”. They are a miserable bunch who are controlling, critical, judgmental and always accuse others. These people are openly and distinctly opposed to the ways of God.
As followers of Jesus Christ, how are we to respond in the current environment of illogical and unreasonable hate that seems to be escalating? The first Martyr Stephen gives us some clues.
Acts 7:52-56 (MSG) – 51-53 “And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!” 54-56 At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!”
This is a remarkable scene from Acts. Stephen, a servant-leader among the early Christians, was on trial before the same council that, just a few years earlier, had sent Jesus to the Romans for crucifixion. Stephen gave a remarkably eloquent and bold explanation of the council’s sin. In response, these powerful men were cut to the heart. The council was angry because Stephen’s message hit the target. They couldn’t dismiss or ignore what he said. They were guilty of the same sins as many of their forefathers. They made an idol out of the temple, and they often rejected the deliverers God sent them. Especially, they rejected God’s ultimate Deliverer: Jesus Christ.
The Sanhedrin reacted with rage – they gnashed at him with their teeth. It is remarkable to think of this response from men who were dignified and respected leaders. This would as if a group of senators or ministers of parliament ground their teeth in anger in response to the testimony of a witness at a hearing. According to some commentators, the verb tenses in this sentence indicate that they did not wait until Stephen finished his speech to start grinding their teeth. It was a prolonged gnashing of teeth that lasted through all his words. These men were prominent, successful, and appeared to be religious; yet they rejected God and associated with hell, not heaven.
How did Stephen respond? I love that He was courageous and did not back down from God’s message and the truth: Acts 7:51-53 (MSG) – 51-53 “And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!” Secondly and more importantly, he did not fall subject to the same spirit of hatred but was filled with Holy Spirit and kept His eyes on heaven (Heaven was open wide to him) …. until the very end. Acts 7:54-56 (MSG) – But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!” Acts 7:59-60 (AMP) – 59 They continued stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!” Then falling on his knees [in worship], he cried out loudly, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them [do not charge them]!” When he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].
Yet in all of this, God had His victory. Psalm 37:12-13: The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The LORD laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming. Today, take confidence in God’s victory – even over those who grind their teeth against Him and His people!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton