Dipped in Honey

DEVOTION

THE BOOK OF ACTS

DIPPED IN HONEY

Acts 24:1-9

24:1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. 5 "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." 9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.

NIV

How powerful are lies when they are dripping with sugar and honey. The sweet sounding words of a silver tongued presentation seem to have such honesty and flattery but in actuality are nothing but an attempt to manipulate, yet they are still just lies. These charges against Paul are just that, lies and the high priest knows full well they are. The lawyer was trying to make Felix think they were so in agreement with his rule over them, so that he would agree with their side of the case. Here is the life lesson for us. First we should be intensely aware there are those with silver tongues, wolves in sheep’s clothing that have such sweet sounding words dripping with honey for the singular purpose of persuading, seducing people to their side. These are the false teachers of the word of God. These are the ones who lie for their own self-interest. But this life lesson also applies to how we handle situations with other people. The truth is not difficult to express and can be done in simple terms, but lies need to be flowered with honey dipped words to make it sound so good no one could perceive it to be lies. So this twofold application of this truth should ever be in the forefront of our consciousness. Although telling the truth can be done in simple words, as we see in this narrative a lie requires a much different approach. There is no question the truth is the only biblical way to live but that might not always get the desired result for a person whose main goal is forged in self-interest. This high priest and the elders were filled with self-interest although their position in the community was supposed to be looking after the spiritual welfare of their people. Self-interest may be the central cause of lies. Thus we should be aware of our main focus as believers which should not be self, but rather in serving our Lord, bringing glory and honor to him. We have seen this in action in the life of Jesus, and we have seen an example of a man following in his footsteps in the life of Paul. Should we not also do the same? We do not need words dripped in honey to tell the truth.