Tuesday 25, August 2026

Today’s Holy Nougat offers fresh insight on Gamaliel’s leadership, in offering a solution to the Sanhedrin.

Acts of the Apostles 5:38 CEB

[38] Here’s my recommendation in this case: Distance yourselves from these men. Let them go! If their plan or activity is of human origin, it will end in ruin.

In a Confident Manner

Gamaliel is direct. Having presented his two ‘witnesses’, he recommended that the Sanhedrin step away from the case. Moreover, his reason is sound. It aligns with his earlier argument concerning his witnesses. A man of his stature conveyed great wisdom.

Self-Check

Does the world receive us as wise individuals?

Digging Deeper

‘Take my foolish advice’ … that was one of the ways we would offer our recommendations to others back in the day. But, that approach negates what we’re about to say. Although advice may be foolish, we shouldn’t knowingly offer foolish advice. If we don’t think our advice is foolish, why name it as such?

As Christians called to the business of life transformation, we are role models and influencers. Colossians 3:16 invites us to be like Gamaliel by teaching and correcting each other with wisdom. James 3:13 cautions that the wise must practise humility. But, foolish advice isn’t humility, it’s self negation. Siblings, the humility that God desires recognises God as the source of our wisdom. And God isn’t foolish.

When God calls on us to offer words of wisdom, God provides us with the words. Even under duress. Gamaliel’s confidence isn’t fake. It was honed over time. Confidence is not lack of humility. It is an awareness of who and whose we are, and walking firmly in that knowledge. Hebrews 10:35-36 urges us to guard our confidence, not discard it. Let’s walk in the full assurance that God has gifted rack of us to build up the body of Christ and draw others unto Christ.

May Gamaliel’s assurance in delivery be one that is found in us.

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May all we seek be found in Christ