How can we seek wisdom and Spirit like Stephen in Acts 6:10? Stephen’s Benchmark: Wisdom and Spirit Acts 6:10: “But they could not stand up to the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.” Stephen’s life proves that wisdom and the Holy Spirit are not reserved for a select few; they are God’s gift to any believer who earnestly seeks Him. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word • Wisdom flows from Scripture. Proverbs 2:6: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” • Make the Word your daily diet. Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you….” • Practical ideas: – Read entire books, not just verses, to grasp context. – Memorize key passages; let them shape your reactions. – Journal insights and obey promptly—revelation grows with response. Pray for Wisdom Without Doubting • James 1:5–6: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, … but he must ask in faith, without doubting.” • Approach the Father confidently; He delights to give. • Set aside focused times to seek counsel before making decisions, large or small. Pursue Spirit-Filled Living • Ephesians 5:18: “Be filled with the Spirit.” The verb implies continuous action—keep being filled. • Luke 11:13: “…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” • Daily posture: – Confess sin quickly. – Yield every area to Christ’s lordship. – Invite the Spirit to empower thoughts, words, and actions. Serve Faithfully in the Everyday • Stephen was first chosen to distribute food (Acts 6:3–5). God often entrusts greater influence to those who serve quietly. • Look for unnoticed tasks—nursery duty, setting up chairs, visiting shut-ins. Faithfulness in little reveals a heart God can entrust with much. Cultivate a Christlike Character • Acts 6 repeatedly describes Stephen as “full of grace and power” (v. 8). • Character checklist: – Humility (Philippians 2:3–5) – Integrity (Psalm 15) – Compassion (Matthew 9:36) • Character forms the platform from which wisdom speaks with credibility. Learn in Godly Community • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise.” • Join a small group that studies Scripture seriously. • Invite mature believers to speak correction and encouragement into your life. Witness with Grace and Truth • Acts 6:10 shows Stephen’s opponents were silenced, not by arrogance, but by Spirit-powered clarity. • Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt….” • Aim for conversation, not confrontation; trust the Spirit to pierce hearts. Guard the Heart, Train the Mind • Replace worldly inputs with what is “true…honorable…pure” (Philippians 4:8). • Read biographies of faithful believers; listen to Scripture-saturated sermons. • Fast from media that dulls spiritual sensitivity. Keep Growing Until Glory • 2 Peter 3:18: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” • Growth is lifelong. Celebrate progress, repent of stumbles, press on. • The same God who empowered Stephen stands ready to fill you with wisdom and Spirit today. |