In the days and weeks after Lydia came to faith in Philippi, the Gospel continued to take root there in dramatic ways. The influence of darkness was (and is) real. Paul casts a demon out of a young slave girl who had been following them around for days. After being beaten with rods, Paul and Silas are then thrown into prison for disrupting the status quo. However, rather than complain about their suffering they sing and pray in the midst of it, astonishing the other prisoners. God provides a miraculous earthquake to free them, but ends up bringing salvation to their jailer. Paul's example teaches us to prioritize God's purposes over our own personal rights. Ultimately, the influence of darkness and the pressure of culture are no match for the power of God.
