“The high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, ‘God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?’  

Those standing nearby said, ‘Do you dare revile God’s high priest?’ 

‘I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,’ replied Paul. ‘For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’“

Acts 23:2-5 (CSB)

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JUNE 4, 2025

One of the most common, socially acceptable habits people practice is judging other people. I know I’ve done it. And I’ve listened to people judging others a lot!  

The thing about human or worldly judgment though, is that its fruitless. It literally produces nothing. It serves no purpose. It doesn’t build anything or restore anyone. It doesn’t make anything better. Not only that, it can cause real harm.  

In our passage today we hear Paul’s fiery words with Ananias, the high priest. Ananias has been described by ancient and well-respected historians as ungodly, irreverent, volatile and greedy. Paul accuses Ananias of violating Jewish law and using his self-centered judgement as a weapon against Paul and against the gospel. Ananias is supposed to be a mediator between God and God’s people. He is supposed to reflect God’s godliness and character. But he doesn’t. In fact, he reflects the exact opposite. He is a skeleton wearing priestly robes.  

Yet in Paul’s rebuke we don’t see hatred or contempt, we see a call to repentance. In essence, Paul is giving Ananas a warning: Repent or you will have to stand before God and God will deal with you.  

Do we see people like this today? They wear the costume of a Christian but through their words and their actions they reflect the opposite of Christ. They are arrogant, unrepentant, greedy, power hungry, impatient or harsh with their words, all while claiming to follow Christ.  

Or maybe we are living that way to some extent ourselves.  

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds, giving us wisdom and discernment and let’s pray for a spirit of repentance both in our own hearts and in the hearts of others.  

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Do you tend to struggle with judging others? If so, what strategies have you tried to replace that habit with a healthy one?  
  • Have you had an experience with someone who claimed to be a Christian but reflected the opposite of Christ? What was that experience like for you?  
  • What are some ways you can humbly speak truth and love to someone who may be masquerading as a Christian and needs to come to repentance? 

Church Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 7; Psalm 90