Protesting Properly

SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:2-5
² At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

⁴ Those who were standing near Paul said, “You dare to insult God’s high priest?”

⁵ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

OBSERVATION: Paul gets angry when he is slapped. He turns to the man who ordered the guard to slap him and gives him a fairly sharp rebuke. After he is made aware that it is the high priest who ordered his humiliation Paul apologizes and quotes a scripture that says, "Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people." What the high priest did was wrong, regardless of his position, but Paul, while not approving of what the high priest did, admits his wrong in denigrating the man because of the authority he bears.

APPLICATION: In this country we have the freedom to elect our officials and sometimes a candidate wins who is not to our liking. We are used to hearing derisive remarks and jokes about our leaders from comedians as well as bumper stickers decrying any politicians that we do not like. It is standard fare and something we actually take pride in as a country. We have freedom of speech to denounce anything and everything we want. While this is a precious right given to us in our constitution, I think we need to be careful about personal insults hurled at leaders that we do not agree with. We are told in the Bible to pray for those who have authority over us. I don't believe it is wrong to state why I disagree with policies of any particular leader, but I must resist insulting jokes and derogatory remarks of any leader (be it political, church or civil authority).

PRAYER: Father, I know I have engaged in making rude remarks about politicians and others in positions of authority before, but I want to follow your ways and to pray for them instead. I know you want me to speak up against wrong ideas, and I will continue to do so, but I do not want to be snide in speaking of those you have placed over me in every area of my life. Your word says that you can turn the heart of the king, and the most effective thing I can do is to pray that human authorities submit to you and seek wisdom from above. Help me to follow this always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.