…but they could not stand up against his wisdom of the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Acts 6:10

Acts 6:10 tells us that opposition to the gospel could not stand up against his (Stephen’s) wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke. I remember a turning point in my walk with Christ when I was faced with standing up for what I believed God was telling me to do. For years I avoided conflict; I was a people-pleaser and would even get stomach aches if I had to take a stand. After I broke through my fear of man, my life in Christ changed significantly. The enemy tries to hold us back from boldness in Christ by reminding us that we may be rejected, not liked, or misunderstood. Breaking free of his tormenting thoughts was like being delivered by an angel similar to that in Acts 5:19 when the prison doors were opened for the Apostles. When they got out of jail, they were free to preach the full message of life in Christ. (Acts 5:20)

Are you free enough to do this? Proverbs 29:25 says that the fear of man will prove to be a snare. Are you ensnared by the fear of man? Ask the Lord to make you a God-pleaser and not a people-pleaser. God will deliver you from fear of man, and no opposition will be able to stand against the wisdom of God in you. You will be free to share the full message of life in Christ.

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have sought to please friends, family members, co-workers. Forgive me that I have feared man and placed my fear of rejection above my love for You. It is so difficult to give up old patterns of behavior. Deliver me from my fear of rejection and help me to boldly live my life to please You alone.

In Jesus’ name, Amen