Obsession

And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. (Acts 26:10-11 NIV) (Emphasis mine)

Obsession is the word, or more accurately the idea it conveys, that I want to pull out here. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines obsession as a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling.

The phrase worded “obsession against them” in verse 11 is worded “being exceedingly mad against them” in the KJV Bible.
"Exceedingly" is from the Greek word perissōs meaning beyond measure, extraordinary. "Mad against" is from the Greek word emmainomai which means to rage against or to be exceedingly mad against. Emmainomai is made up from two Greek root words. En meaning in, by, with etc. and mainomai meaning to be mad, to rave: said of one who so speaks that he seems not to be in his right mind (from Thayer’s Lexicon).

Based upon the above, a more elaborate description of the idea conveyed by the word obsession is an exceedingly great and unhealthy preoccupation with, or against, someone or something. Its effects are that it inhibits clear thinking, hinders correct actions, distorts understanding, shipwrecks morality, derails justice, and stands against all righteousness. It is not only destructive, deceptive, and debilitating, but is also unhealthy mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Obsession is progressive and will carry one to the point of being excessively preoccupied with or against someone or something to the point of the exclusion of all other things. It will capture your mind, enflame your emotions, and consume your soul.

Paul said in Acts 26:11 “In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” How far off course will we let our obsessions carry us? Each of us as an individual is responsible for who or what we give ourselves to. Paul’s obsession carried him to foreign places where he should have never gone to do what he should have never done.. Our obsessions will do the same to us.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:1-3 NIV)