When Weakness Threatens Testimony - Part 1

This article is a powerful lesson from Apostle Paul’s trial in Acts 23, where his human weakness threatens his testimony. We explore how to navigate moments of vulnerability in our faith walk and how to draw strength and lean on God’s grace to overcome our human nature without losing our witness of Christ!

Paul’s Humanity on Trial

In Acts 23, we witness a moment in the life of Paul that seems strikingly different from his usual character and testimony. This moment unveils a great lesson for all believers when we come to a point in our life when our human weakness threatens our testimony of Christ.

For the first time after his conversion, while standing trial before the council and the Roman authorities, Paul did not recount his powerful Damascus Road experience. This was a departure from his signature approach, one where he consistently pointed to his transformation as the foundation of his message. Instead, Paul referred to himself as something he had publicly denounced and rejected since his conversion—a Pharisee.

Let’s revisit his words in Acts 23:6: "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"

Why would Paul, the bold, brave, and fearless apostle who preached against the very system he once upheld, claim this title again?

A Moment of Humanity

Earlier in the chapter, we see Paul’s frustration spill over when the high priest, Ananias, ordered him to be struck. Paul retorted sharply: "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?"

Yet, in all these, He remained without sin, showing us that our humanity does not have to lead us into disobedience.

Realizing his outburst was against the high priest, Paul apologized, acknowledging the scripture that commands respect for authority. This moment—raw, unfiltered, and human—shows a side of Paul that is rarely emphasized. It reminds us that even the most anointed of God's servants are not immune to moments of frustration or weariness.

Paul's humanity was also evident earlier in Acts 22 when he invoked his Roman citizenship to avoid being flogged unjustly. Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?" The centurion stopped immediately and informed the chief captain who said in Acts 22:28, "With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born."

Despite being anointed and despite appearing like a super apostle, which in fact, he was, he was still as human as you and I. Just as Paul leaned on his human nature, we also can grow weary, and had to lean on our human nature. It is such a moment in our life when our weakness threatens our testimony. Paul’s appeal to his birthright was not a denial of his faith but a strategic move born of his human instinct for survival.

Jesus, Our Perfect Example

Paul’s actions remind us of another profound example of humanity in scripture—Jesus Himself. In Hebrews 4:15, we read: "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Jesus passed through this moment of weakness in the Garden of Gethsemane where we see him wrestling with the weight of His mission. He prayed earnestly for the cup of suffering to pass over Him, though He knew it was the very purpose for which He came.

Jesus displayed His humanity in other ways—crying over the death of Lazarus, driving out money changers from the temple, and enduring moments of deep sorrow. Yet, in all these, He remained without sin, showing us that our humanity does not have to lead us into disobedience. He not only experienced this moment of humanity, He submitted and conquered it, giving us hope that we can also safely pass through this moment without sin and without being consumed. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus leaned to the will of the Father, saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done."

Rather than allow our weakness to overcome us when we are hurt, we should rather “give place to wrath” and do not allow the quest for revenge to bring us down into the abyss and ruin our testimony of Christ.

The Balance of Humanity and Holiness

Paul's humanity, like that of Jesus, did not disqualify him from his calling. Instead, it highlighted the grace of God that sustains us even in our moment of weakness and frailty. As Paul himself wrote in Ephesians 4:26: "Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath."

This verse underscores an important truth: experiencing human emotions is not sinful in itself. It is how we respond in those moments of weakness that defines our testimony.

Throughout scripture, we see others who faltered in their humanity—Judas Iscariot, who allowed guilt to consume him; Ananias and Sapphira, who let greed lead them to dishonesty; Demas, who loved the world more than Christ. Alexandra the coppersmith whom Paul said did him much evil and a few others who were consumed by this moment. Yet, we also see examples like Peter, who denied Jesus but found restoration, and David, who sinned grievously but sought forgiveness and was called a man after God’s own heart.

A Lesson for Us

The greatest lesson we can draw from these moments of humanity when our weakness threatens our testimony of Christ is this: we should not allow them to consume us. Like Jesus, we must submit to God’s will. Like Paul, we must realign ourselves with our calling even when we stumble.

When anger, fear, or frustration arises, let us pray the prayer of surrender: “Lord, let Your will be done.” Let us remember that our human nature does not define us; it is our response to God’s grace that shapes our testimony.

In Rom 12:19, Paul wrote, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Rather than allow our weakness to overcome us when we are hurt, we should rather “give place to wrath” and do not allow the quest for revenge to bring us down into the abyss and ruin our testimony of Christ.

Let us remember that our human nature does not define us; it is our response to God’s grace that shapes our testimony.

As we navigate life in a treacherous time like this when our testimony is constantly being challenged in this evil world, let us hold fast to this truth: we can be human without being defeated, and we can be weak without losing our testimony. In every moment of humanity, let us lean on the strength of the One who was tempted in every way yet remained without sin. For in Him, we find the grace to rise above all our weaknesses. Our comfort and assurance is that because he overcame, we can also overcome just as the bible says in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Let this be our testimony in times like this. Stay tunned to Part 2. Shalom!

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