The Book of Acts - Chapters 22 - 26 - Part 2

The Book of Acts

Chapters 22 - 26

Part 2

Last Week:

1. Do we or don’t we stick up for ourselves?

2. Can we stick up for ourselves?

Today:

3. Should we or shouldn’t we?

4. Different ways to do it.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.

(Proper Boundaries are Extremely Healthy)

"Should you or shouldn’t you?"

Alongside Prayer for God’s guidance/will,

these verses might be of help to you.

Be Cautious

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

–Prov. 21:23

Calamity = an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

What to do when others have brought calamity upon you:

Exercise biblical self-control.

Don’t lash out.

Trust in the Lord for an appropriate response.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and [Biblical-Self-control] self-control.”

-Galatians 5:22,23

It’s “IN” you.

“Against such things there is no law.

[That means that there are no other Bible verses that contradict, or exempt us from exercising these fruit of the Spirit, no matter what the situation]

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

–Galatians 5:23-25

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…”

-James 1:19

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

–Prov. 17:28

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”

-Isaiah 53:7

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”

-Prov. 10:19

A Good Daily Prayer

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.”

-Psalm 141:3

Be Gentle

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

–Proverbs 15:1

Difference between:

Offense “Given” & Offense “Taken”

“Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people… they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they TOOK offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”

-Matthew 13

Be Brave

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”

-Ephesians 5:11,12

“Who will rise up for me against the wicked?

Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?”

-Psalm 94:16 [Bravery]

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…”

– 2 Corinthians 10:5 [Bravery]

Often Christians do not speak up for God/Truth because they don’t want to be accused of “Judging”.

Be Graceful

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

-Colossians 4:6

Be Fair

“Speak up and judge fairly; [Come to right “Conclusions”]defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

–Prov 31:9

Matthew 7:1+ talks about when correcting/judging others do not do it in a “Judgmental/Holier-than-thou” attitude.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

–Matthew 18:15-17

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

-Psalm 82:3,4

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”

–Isaiah 53:7

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ … If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

-Matthew 5:38-42

The point here is not that you can’t or shouldn’t defend yourself.

The point here is not that you can’t or shouldn’t defend yourself, The point of turning the other cheek might actually provide a greater testimony for defending the truth of Jesus and the effect that His grace has on his followers.

You are not “Letting them off the hook” for what they have done,

You are “Letting them off the hook” for what you could have done to them in response.

Stand up for TRUTH

“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

-Proverbs 24:11

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

–John 7:24

Summary: Honor good boundaries

Be Cautious

Be Self-controlled

Be Gentle

Be Brave

Be Graceful

Be Fair

Stand up for truth