PEOPLE HATE THE TRUTH

Moved by the Holy Spirit, Stephen opened his mouth to announce the good news in the presence of everyone. He spoke so boldly and confidently. Some people felt offended by what he said and gathered themselves against Stephen, with false accusations. Stephen was called to defend himself, but instead of defending himself, he preached about the tragic failure of people to obey God. He saw that as another opportunity to preach that hot sermon in his heart. The message sank into his audience effectively and they were convicted. He had faithfully discharged his duty. The response was up to his audience. They had the option to repent of their sins and turn to God or to reject the message and turn against God. That would have been one cute opportunity to embrace Jesus, abandoning their evil ways, but they turned a deaf ear to the message and followed their hearts to be bittered. Instead of godly sorrow, what they nursed in their hearts was anger. Their hearts had grown coarse and so stubborn to admit the truth. The Jewish leaders who felt more uncomfortable with Stephen’s sermon turned everyone’s heart against Stephen. In the end, they stoned him to death.

 Truth is something people don’t want to hear. Truth is that sensitive part of a person’s life that they do not want you to mention. Those who oblige themselves to saying the truth turn out to be everyone’s enemy. They lose friends easily. They are seen as “the troublers”. But the truth is what Jesus commands us to say. He says the truth will set us free. It is true that truth may be bitter but it must be told. Where you are is where God wants you to be an apostle of truthfulness.