Stephen and Charlie

Will you allow the enemy to influence, and provoke your emotional state, and perhaps even direct your thoughts?

The enemy labors to enrage, agitate with various emotions, exhaust, and finally demoralize us. This is the goal of the unjust, outrageous, vile, murderous deeds that are daily visited upon us. Jesus warned about this, and the final outcome was revealed to us.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

What did Charlie Kirk do that so enraged the rulers of the darkness of this world? He had no army, no great wealth, he held no mighty position of political office. Just what did he do? HE SPOKE WORDS. He said "…let's have a conversation…" Words is essentially all he had to work with. Oh, one other thing - he was FEARLESS!

Philippians 1:28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

In the disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ in first century encountered the same enemy that resists God today. The top echelon of religious and government rulers confronted the apostles and ordered them to SHUT UP, to BE SILENT!

Acts 4:18–20

[18] So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [20] for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Our enemy generally doesn't care if you study your bible or privately pray - their priority is to keep you silent and asleep. They greatly fear anyone who dares to speak in the name of Jesus Christ! The response of the assembly of disciples is recorded in Acts 4:31 - they were all filled to overflowing with the gift of holy spirit and all continued to fearlessly speak the word of God!

In Acts 6, we are introduced to a man named Stephen. He was one of seven men of good reputation, manifesting the gift of holy spirit and full of wisdom. Stephen was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Some of the deeply religious people confronted and argued with Stephen, but they could not prevail.

Acts 6:10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking.

So, this religious outfit used lawfare - they framed Stephen with false witnesses. The accused Stephen of a capital crime, and stirred up a mob, which even influenced the religious and government rulers. He was arrested and brought to trial by those same rulers.

As you read about this trial, think of those who sat in judgment. Imagine if you were brought before your county commissioners, along with the top religious leaders in your county. We have seen such "leaders" who are barely able to constrain themselves from the mob behavior recorded in Acts 7.

At that time in a trial for a capital offence, the accused was given an opportunity to speak for himself. Those in judgement HAD to listen. Stephen’s "defense" is very interesting. He does not plead for himself - he pleads for the lives of those rulers sitting in judgement. Jesus Christ was standing with Stephen as well! However, those rulers would have none of this. They could not restrain themselves but indulged in mob behavior, executing Stephen with their own hands (Acts 7:54 - 58).

What Stephen did at the end of his life is quite intriguing.

Acts 7:59–60

[59] And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

That day a "great persecution" against the assembly of disciples began, with arrests, lawfare, and some executions. The disciples didn't remain agitated, hurt, angry, or sad. They didn't allow themselves to become demoralized. Their Godly, aggressive response was to scatter, speaking the word wherever they went. (No, I'm not implying that we need to "scatter", but we are called to speak the words that God wants spoken.)

Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Eventually, the persecution abated, and the word of God prevailed.

Acts 9:31 So the church (assembly) throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the holy spirit, it multiplied. (ESV)

This prevailing result came about as disciples endured, specifically doing God's will in their circumstances. Although our circumstances are different, we continue to endure, speaking the words God wants spoken, as the disciples did in the first century. This is speaking The Truth in Love!

Like Stephen, Charlie developed influence with a powerful impact by speaking words God wanted spoken without fear. Stephen and Charlie didn't die in vain.

2025 Keith Radcliffe