“A CLEAN CONSCIENCE BEFORE GOD”
- rmheck
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
“Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?” Acts 23:3 (KJV)
In this passage, the Apostle Paul stands before the Jewish council after being arrested in Jerusalem. As he begins his defense, the high priest Ananias commands that Paul be struck on the mouth. Paul, filled with righteous indignation, responds by saying, “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall.”
This phrase, “thou whited wall”, carries deep symbolic weight. It echoes Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:27, where He rebuked the Pharisees as “whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones.” Paul was exposing hypocrisy, the pretense of holiness while harboring corruption within. Ananias, as high priest, represented God’s law, yet his actions violated it by ordering an unlawful punishment.
Paul’s response reminds us that true righteousness is not in appearances, but in obedience to God’s truth and purity of heart. Ananias had authority and outward religion, but his actions revealed a heart far from God.
In today’s world, this scripture calls believers to examine the authenticity of our faith. Do we live by the same principles we profess? Are our hearts aligned with the Word of God, or do we merely present an image of faith while harboring bitterness, judgment, or compromise within?
We live in an age where appearance often takes precedence, and where faith can be displayed publicly but not practiced privately. Yet God looks beyond the surface. He sees whether our actions match our words, and whether our worship is born of sincerity or show.
Paul’s confrontation reminds us of three timeless truths: God Values Integrity Over Image. It’s not enough to look holy; we must live holy. Our witness loses power when our behavior contradicts our beliefs.
Righteous Anger Should Be Rooted in Truth ~ Paul’s reaction wasn’t out of personal offense but out of a zeal for God’s justice. When we confront wrongdoing, it must come from love for righteousness, not pride.
God Is the Ultimate Judge ~ Though Paul was wrongly treated, he trusted that God would deal with hypocrisy and injustice in His time. We too must remember that God sees all and vindicates the righteous.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23–24 (KJV).
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart, asking You to search me and cleanse me of anything that is not pleasing to You. Remove every trace of hypocrisy, pride, or pretense from my spirit. Help me to live with integrity, not just before men but before You, who see all things.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen and To God Be The Glory!
With love, faith, and fervent prayers,
Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain
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