Winning The Unwinnable Conflict (Chantilly Sermon)
February 15, 2026
Acts 23:1-5 CSB – Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 The high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth. 3 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?”
4 Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?”
5 “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.”
Romans 12:18 CSB – If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Acts 23:1 CSB – Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Acts 23:2 CSB – The high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth.
Paul’s First Reaction? Throw Gas on the Fire
Acts 23:3-5 CSB – 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?”
4 Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?”
5 “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.”
4 People You Can’t Argue With
1. Fools (unteachable person)
Proverbs 23:9 CSB – Don’t speak to a fool,
for he will despise the insight of your words.
Matthew 7:6 CSB – Jesus: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
2. Divisive People
Titus 3:10-11 CSB – Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
3. False Teachers
2 John 1:10,11 CSB – If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and do not greet him; 11 for the one who greets him shares in his evil works.
Proverbs 9:7-8 CSB – The one who corrects a mocker
will bring abuse on himself;
the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.
4. Bullies
Acts 23:2 CSB – The high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth.
The First Response to Angry Conflict– Strategic silence
Proverbs 15:18 CSB – A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but one slow to anger calms strife.
Proverbs 17:28 CSB – Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—discerning, when he seals his lips.
Proverbs 17:14 CSB – To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.
Paul’s Second Response? Deescalate Conflict w/ an Apology
Acts 23:4 CSB – Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?”
Acts 23:5a CSB – “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 23:5b CSB – “I did not know… . “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”
Romans 13:1,2 CSB – Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
James 3:16 CSB – For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
Hebrews 13:17 CSB – Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Finally, Get Out of the Conflict Quickly
Acts 23:6 CSB – When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!”
Acts 23:7-9 CSB – When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.
9 The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party got up and argued vehemently, “We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
Acts 23:10 CSB – When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.
Acts 23:11-17 CSB – …the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who had formed this plot. 14 These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to youas if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.”
Acts 23:16-17 CSB – But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.”
When “Happily Ever After” isn’t Possible
1. Rise Above
Proverbs 19:11 CSB – A person’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
1 Corinthians 13:7 CSB – Love bears all things.
Proverbs 17:28 CSB – Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent— discerning, when he seals his lips.
Matthew 5:38 CSB – Jesus said, But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
2. Graciously Back Away
Matthew 10:14 CSB – If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.
3. Express Kindness
Romans 12:21 CSB – Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Matthew 5:25 CSB – Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
Romans 12:17-20 CSB – Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.
19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But
If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.
Romans 12:21 CSB – Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
