978) We hear a lot these days about giving yourself “a voice.” What most people mean by this is that you are advocating for yourself. This is a scary thing for those of us that are middle-aged (or more) Christians because adults taught us that much of what we do for ourselves is selfish. Can this be true? Of course, but sometimes self-advocating is necessary and, dare I say, godly.

In Acts 25:1-12, the Jewish religious leaders have taken Paul to trial before Festus. When he asks Paul about their accusations, Paul does not hesitate to advocate for himself by giving a factual and calm answer. Was this selfish on Paul’s part? No, I don’t think so. Why? Because in verse 11, Paul says that if he deserves death, he will die. He is saying that he did nothing wrong but if it’s God’s will for his life on this earth to end, he accepts it.

When it comes to thinking that self-advocating is wrong, consider the idea that in not doing so, you may be guilty of swinging to the pious side of the issue. Is one wrong better than the other?