Half-Truths
Text: Acts 23:6-10
Theme: Paul was perceptive and not afraid to frame the truth in defensive ways.
Key verses: “Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!’ This divided the council–the Pharisees against the Sadducees–for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection…but the Pharisees believe in all of these. So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. ‘We see nothing wrong with him,’ they shouted…”As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress” (v. 6-10).
What I believe God said to me: Dwayne, never be afraid of or shy away from using the truth in a defensive way that benefits you. What Paul said was true. He was there because he followed The Way. To be a follower of Jesus included believing he rose from the dead. Paul was a missionary and evangelist to proclaim the Gospel–the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ–and that conviction and calling had led him to where he was in that moment standing in front of the High Council. What Paul didn’t volunteer was that he also preached that resurrection message to the Gentiles. He didn’t mention that small detail to the Sanhedrin. He saw an opportunity to stir up confusion among them, and he took it. Was it wrong for him to do that? Not at all. Had he spoken something false it would been, but he didn’t speak falsely. He just shared enough of the truth to help him. It’s important to note that Paul wasn’t afraid to speak offensive truth in front of authoritative men who had the power to kill him. He’d already demonstrated over and over his boldness to preach the (offensive) Gospel. But no doubt Paul knew that those Jewish leaders weren’t interested in the whole truth. They had already rejected Jesus. They knew about Jesus’ message, and they knew the Scriptures that clearly say Gentiles will also hear about my love and be included in my Kingdom. So, why should Paul feel obligated to rehash those things? Their hearts were cold, and their ears were stopped to hearing and embracing the full truth. Paul knew the best he could do was to turn them against themselves, so he might find a way to escape from that trying moment before them. In your journeys and encounters with unbelievers, Dwayne, always strive to be 1) perceptive of your surroundings and who you’re dealing with, 2) truthful in what you say, but also 3) shrewd in how much and what you divulge.
What I said to God: Thank you, my Father, for meeting with me this morning. I know on my own I don’t deserve Your presence here with me. I certainly don’t deserve and can’t comprehend the love You have for me as Your child. Yet, I am Your child. I am part of Your family and Your Kingdom. Therefore, I can have an audience with You, my Father and King, any time I want night or day. Wow! The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in me now. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Please help me continue to learn from these finely detailed traits and methods of Paul. I have a feeling I may have the opportunity soon to try out the shrewdness I’ve read about today in Paul. I sense I could one day find myself again in front of enemy combatants who oppose my faith and want to destroy my witness. And in that moment, help me be bold, humble, truthful, perceptive and shrewd like Paul was.