How do you react when your spiritual beliefs are challenged? Pilate made this comment to Jesus on Good Friday. John 18:37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked.[1]
When our spiritual beliefs are challenged, we have two choices. One choice is to completely shut our eyes and ears to what is being said or seek the Lord for wisdom and understanding.
God gave Stephen wisdom that challenged the Jewish leaders’ spiritual beliefs. Their arguments against Stephen failed because they chose to harden their hearts. As a result, they did not seek the Lord, pray, or meditate on His word when challenged.
We Can Harden Our Hearts to God
Stephen challenged the beliefs of some Jews, and they hardened their hearts.
Acts 6:8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. [2]
Seek the Lord When Your Beliefs are Challenged
Here are some verses to guide us when our beliefs are challenged:
- Trust the Lord: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [3]
- Seek wisdom from the Lord: James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.[4]
- Pray to the Lord: James 5:16The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. [5]
- Search the word of God: Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. [6]
What do you do when your spiritual beliefs are challenged? For help to be a light in the darkness, listen here:
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.