PAUL'S ADJUSTMENT
ACTS 23:1-5
ACTS 23:1-5 NKJ
23 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
Paul launches into his defense before the chief priests and rulers of the Jews. He is interrupted when the chief priest commands him to be smacked in the mouth. Paul, who is just as human as we are, fires back at the chief priest calling him a whitewashed wall. I guess this was a first century insult, but I have certainly heard worse.
What is interesting is how Paul adjusts when he discovers he just insulted the high priest. He, in effect, walks back the insult, and then he gives the reason for his adjustment, the scriptures. Paul quoted - it is written not to speak evil of a ruler of your people. Even though this high priest had done wrong in having Paul smacked in the mouth. Even though being smacked in the mouth hurt. Paul was more interested in obeying the scriptures than getting revenge.
APPLICATION
Paul gives all of us a great example of what to do when angry, hurt, or mistreated. Adjust to the Scripture, not to our feelings. It's easy to lash out, answer back, post something snarky, but what do the Scriptures say?
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth. (Ephesians 4:29)
Speak evil of no one. (Titus 3:2)
Follow Jesus' example. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
It hurts when we are wrongfully "smacked in the mouth," but our best strategy is to follow what is written and not follow our feelings.
PRAYER
Dear Father,
Help me adjust back to the Scriptures as I respond to people instead of reacting from my flesh and feelings. I commit myself to You, the only One who truly is fair and just.