City Life Starter

Written by Chellakkan Blesson

The Word

11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 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, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:8-15 (ESV)

Reflection

Stephen’s opponents could not refute the wisdom and truth of his message, so they resorted to false accusations. They distorted his teaching by claiming that he spoke against the temple, the Law of Moses, and the customs of Israel, even though Stephen was proclaiming that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s plan, not the destruction of it. Today, we call this a strawman argument, where someone’s position is deliberately misrepresented so it can be more easily attacked, all to achieve a desired outcome rather than to seek the truth.

In response, Stephen gave a sweeping history lesson, tracing God’s work from the calling of Abraham through Joseph, Moses, the wilderness, the tabernacle, the temple, and ultimately to Jesus Christ. Rather than defending himself alone, he demonstrated that God had always been at work beyond places, traditions, and human expectations, and that Israel had repeatedly resisted the very messengers God had sent. By placing Jesus at the climax of Israel’s story, Stephen exposed the flaws in his accusers’ thinking and showed that they were continuing the pattern of rejecting God’s chosen servant.

Application

It is easy to forget how God has worked throughout history, and we can become blinded by present conveniences, personal interests, or cultural pressures. In doing so, people can manipulate the truth, presenting lies as truth and truth as lies to serve their own agendas. Stephen refused to compromise. He stood firmly for the truth, even though he knew it would come at a great cost. His faithfulness reminds us that standing for God’s
truth often carries consequences, but it is always worth it.

In our own lives, are we willing to examine the past without allowing our present biases to distort what God has done? Are we willing to set aside our emotions, pride, and personal preferences to stand for the truth? May we have the courage of Stephen to faithfully proclaim God’s truth, trusting Him with the outcome.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me today to be bold and stand firmly for the truth. Give me the courage to uphold Your Word and remain faithful to biblical principles, even when it is difficult. Fill me with wisdom to speak Your truth with both boldness and love, trusting You with the outcome. May my life bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.