Somtimes The Truth Hurts

In Acts 7, Stephen lays down the coolest “just before you get stoned to death, speak the truth in love and make them feel guilty” speech ever! It was pretty much a sermon. The chief priest was all upset that Stephen was telling others about Jesus. So they accuse him and get ready to execute him. He tells pretty much the whole historical story of the Old Testament. It is beautiful. He shows how God had a plan from Day 1. And that Jesus was part of that plan, but they would not listen and crucified him, their savior. Stephen is stoned (to death).

Something that Stephen said sticks out. He told them that every prophet that God sent was persecuted. It made me think that today, we have prophetic duties, And even when we speak the truth in love, we may be persecuted. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that you are blessed because you are persecuted. So keep speaking the truth in love, and even when it hurts, keep preaching it. Someone’s got to do it, so it might as well be you.

Prayer: God, don’t let me back down when persecution comes my way, but give me more resolve to preach what needs to be preached!