“1 Agrippa said to Paul, ‘It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.’

Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2 ‘I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defense before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews, 3 especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.’

4 ‘All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem. 5 They had previously known me for quite some time, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand on trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 the promise our 12 tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve Him night and day.’ 

‘King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope. 8 Why is it considered incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? 9 In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them. I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them.'”

Acts 26:1-11

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When we stand accused by someone, when they are frustrated with us, angry or let down, there is a proper way to address their concerns & frustrations. Typically, our gut reaction is to lash out, to express frustration in return. Looking at the example of Christ, who stood silent before His accusers, and who only answered briefly to Pilate, and to the example then of His servant Paul, we see that we are given the right to answer for ourselves and that there is a proper way to handle those situations. 

Like Jesus, Paul clarely states the facts of what is going on and where he stands. In this first part of his defense, he is laying out his past and his understanding of how his accusers think. He is not being irrational, he is not yelling or angry. Instead, he is focused on the issue at hand. He isn’t speaking from his frustration at being held for two years as a prisoner. He is simply stating fact, and he is being respectful as he does so.

So often, that is more difficult than anything, to express ourselves factually, in the midst of our frustration and to do so in a way that honors God. What this requires is a humility that is Holy Spirit powered. We must let go of the situation, and give it over to God before it even begins. I guarantee you that Paul had been praying about this day and this opportunity. It did not sneak up on him unaware, he was not taken by surprise. Instead, he anticipated it (as any prisoner would awiting a trial) and he had his heart ready before God when the moment came. He trusted God wholeheartedly with his life and in his defense. This internal preparation went a very long way to see him give a defense that was coherent, well planned and given in a way that did not attempt to lash out at or insult his accusers. There was no attempt to demean them or to give them a hard time. 

And in this, we see one of our greatest needs, the need for prayer and God-honoring counsel. Whenever we ffind ourselves struggling with an issue, we need to seek out God first in prayer, not run from the seat of our pants. We need to express our concerns to Him, and ask Him for wisdom & patience. We need to seek out His glory in the situation, not seek to simply correct a perceived wrong. It is still about Him, after all, and not about us. We do need to point toward the truth, and we do need to make an honest defense, as Paul begins to here, but we must take charge of our own attuitude in the process and hold it in check, taking every thought captive and examining it in the light of Christ. And when we are angry or frustrated, this is going to be very difficult and probably will not be what we want to do in the midst of the situation. But again, we must remember, this is not about us, this is about the Name of Christ and His reputation. If we are to GoLove anyone and everyone, then this also includes our accusers. 

1 Peter 2:11-17 – “11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.

13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is Gods will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 As Gods slaves, live as free people, but dont use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.”

1 Peter 3:13-17 – 13 – “And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be Gods will, than for doing evil.”