How can we prepare to defend our faith with wisdom and the Spirit? Setting the Scene “But they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” (Acts 6:10) Why Stephen’s Opponents Couldn’t Prevail • Wisdom that came from God, not clever argumentation (James 1:5) • Dependence on the Holy Spirit, who brought the right words at the right moment (Luke 12:11-12) • A life already saturated with Scripture, enabling instant, accurate application (2 Timothy 2:15) • Character that matched his message—full of faith and the Spirit (Acts 6:5) Principles for Our Preparation • Both wisdom and Spirit are essential; one without the other leaves us unbalanced. • Preparation is ongoing, not crisis-driven. Stephen’s boldness flowed from habits formed long before the synagogue confrontation. • The goal is not to win arguments but to exalt Christ and serve souls (1 Peter 3:15). Pursuing God’s Wisdom • Ask daily: “Lord, give me Your wisdom” (James 1:5). He promises to supply. • Feast on Scripture; wisdom comes “from His mouth” (Proverbs 2:6). • Study apologetics, history, and culture to understand questions people are actually asking (Colossians 4:6). • Learn to articulate truth clearly: “words taught by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:13). Walking in the Spirit • Stay in step: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). • Maintain an active prayer life: “Pray in the Spirit at all times” (Ephesians 6:18). • Cultivate sensitivity—quick repentance keeps the heart unclogged, allowing the Spirit’s flow. • Expect guidance; rely on the promise that He will teach you what to say (Luke 12:12). Uniting Wisdom and the Spirit in Everyday Speech • Saturate conversation with grace: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). • Speak with gentleness and respect, even when giving a defense (1 Peter 3:15). • Let truth and tone match; the Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, and peace should flavor every answer. • Trust God for results; the same Spirit who empowers the words convicts the listener’s heart. A Simple Daily Rhythm for Readiness 1. Word: Read, meditate, memorize—building a reservoir the Spirit can draw from. 2. Prayer: Ask for wisdom, boldness, and sensitivity to people’s real needs. 3. Fellowship: Discuss Scripture with believers; sharpen one another. 4. Obedience: Put truth into practice; lived doctrine carries weight. 5. Witness: Share the gospel regularly; practice strengthens confidence. Following this pattern, we too can face skepticism or hostility with the same unanswerable combination Stephen displayed: God-given wisdom and Spirit-empowered words. |
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