🕊️ PRAY HERE Devotion 🕊️ Wow! They Got Mad and Lied

Scripture: Acts 6:11–13

“Then they secretly instigated men who said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law.’”

Devotion: Have you ever been lied on or hated for no reason?

Oh, I have been Stephen before.

And honestly, it baffled me.

You are minding your business, trying to do the right thing, helping people, obeying God, and somehow somebody creates a problem with you.

For example, maybe you stopped participating in workplace gossip, and now the same people you used to laugh and talk with are spreading rumors about you.

Or maybe God changed your life, and because you no longer participate in certain activities, people begin saying things about you that are not even true.

Whew!

Let’s look at today’s text.

All Stephen was doing was what the Apostles were doing; the work of the Lord.

He was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which many people referred to as “this new doctrine.”

These Hellenistic Jews were MAD because they could not win the debate with Stephen.

Every argument they brought against him was met with wisdom from God.

They could not defeat the truth, so they attacked the messenger.

Whew!

That still happens today.

When people cannot discredit the truth, they often try to discredit the person telling it.

But there was another reason they were angry.

Stephen was one of them.

He once sat in their synagogues.

He shared many of the same beliefs.

He understood their traditions and customs.

But then Stephen got filled with the Holy Ghost, accepted Christ, and his life changed.

And they did not like it.

People will get mad when you get saved and stop doing what you used to do with them.

When you stop partying.

When you stop drinking.

When you stop smoking or getting high.

When you stop gossiping.

When you stop hanging out in places God delivered you from.

When you stop living the way you used to live.

You changed for the better.

They stayed the same.

Now they are mad at you.

Whew!

The truth is, your changed life can become a conviction to people who refuse to change theirs.

And sadly, sometimes that conviction turns into criticism.

Not only did these people get mad at Stephen, they lied on him.

They secretly recruited people to make false accusations.

Imagine that.

A man full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Ghost being falsely accused for serving God.

But here is the encouragement:

Do not let people discourage you from living for God and being converted.

You made the right decision.

Do not go backwards because someone does not like your growth.

Do not compromise because someone is uncomfortable with your obedience.

Do not stop serving because someone is criticizing you.

Stephen was walking in the will of God.

And sometimes opposition is not proof that you are wrong.

Sometimes it is proof that you are right where God wants you to be.

We will continue this conversation in the next devotion.

God bless you!

Prayer: Father God, thank You for changing my life and drawing me closer to You. Help me remain faithful when I face criticism, rejection, false accusations, or misunderstanding because of my faith. Lord, give me the strength to keep obeying You even when others do not approve. Guard my heart from bitterness toward those who speak against me. Help me pray for them, love them, and continue walking in truth. Let me never be ashamed of the transformation You have done in my life. Give me courage to stand firm and wisdom to respond in a way that honors You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏🕊️