KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:16 ” And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

The High Priest always hired an orator called Tetullus to speak to accuse Paul before Felix, the governor. This man was very good at his job by presenting his accusation against Paul. He told lies mixed with insults, yet truth shall forever remain sacred.

He started with showering praises on the governor Felix in an attempt to win his favour. He came very hard on Paul. Apostle Paul also had his turn to make his defence. Paul made his defence in the light of his philosophy as depicted in our key scripture. This reads “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and men.”

He made his defence without attacking his accuser in any way. Tetullus, in his prosecutions against Paul, said Paul was a Pestilent fellow (comparing him to a plague). He said Paul is a mover of sedition and a ring leader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Paul maintained his point that he believed in the resurrection of the dead, and that was the reason he was being held in chains. Most people would have equally attacked the orator, Tetullus, with similar insults. Paul says he has made it his policy to have a conscience devoid of offence towards God and man. Dear child of God, please understand that we as children of God do not treat people according to their actions, but in respect to what God’s word says. Under the new covenant, it is not a tooth for a tooth, but always show the love of God to those who have wrongly treated us.

Most homes would have enjoyed a great amount of peace and harmony if couples would adopt this principle or philosophy. Many people act and speak with a motive to cause pain to their other parties. Insults are psychological arrows and spears that people shoot at one another. The end results are wounded souls who can not get along with such parties. Divorce, severing of relationships and friendships proceed from hearts that are careless about the effect of their words and actions on the second parties. Apostle Paul admonished the brethren in Colossae to ” Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”. (Colossians 4:6)

CONFESSIONS

I thank you, Lord, for making me a partaker of your nature. I always express love, respect, and fear for God when I relate to all men. My words may correct but would not destroy others.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 12:14-15 ” Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

1 Corinthians 13:5 (Love) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;