It’s so easy to get caught up and go with the crowd but it can be ‘dead wrong’ in the eyes of the Lord. Be careful who you stand alongside or agree with!
We looked yesterday at Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin where his face actually shone as he spoke. Stephen may have been facing them alone, when they became so infuriated at his words that they literally couldn’t stand what he was saying. So Stephen became the first recorded Christian martyr.
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
8 And Saul approved of their killing him. Acts 8:1
This may be an extreme case of men’s anger and fury breaking out against a servant of God, but the Bible recorded how it happened and also Saul’s approval.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10
This verse from Proverbs makes a contrast between what’s in the mouth of the righteous, ‘Life’, and the mouth of the wicked, ‘violence’. We as believers CARRY LIFE IN OUR MOUTHS AND HEARTS if we’re willing to allow God to use us and let it out – that’s a powerful thought! We’re called to be ‘Salt and Light’ and to influence those around us with the Life of God in us.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 FOR MAN’S ANGER DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD DESIRES. 21 Therefore, get rid of all uncleanness … James 1
The anger that murdered Stephen was probably demonically inspired and aided. James warns us to be ‘Slow to become Angry’, because it will not bring about what God desires. Indeed it’s often contrary to God’s will in a situation.
I was thinking of a New Testament scripture earlier today,
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 GET RID OF ALL BITTERNESS, RAGE AND ANGER, BRAWLING (Quarrelling) AND SLANDER, ALONG WITH EVERY FORM OF MALICE. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4
These verses actually mention all three members of the Godhead. They begin with not Grieving the Holy Spirit in us. Then they tell us the things WE NEED TO GET RID OF TO AVOID THIS. The verses conclude by telling us to be compassionate and forgiving, just as God the Father, forgave us in Christ. In order to walk with the Lord, we need to be of His Spirit, not with the destructive anger of men. It was only the mercy and kindness of the Lord that rescued Saul from the disastrous course he was set on. We must walk with the Lord and not give way to the lower nature.
God bless and keep you today.