November 9, 2025 -Resisting the Holy Spirit

ACTS 6:1-8:1

Chronological Bible Readings

^{Acts 7:22} Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

I found this funny since in Exodus Moses said he was weak in speech.

^{Exodus 4:10} Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

He didn't consider himself to be eloquent in speaking let alone powerful in speech. It makes me think of times when I feel like I am unskilled to do something, but I do it anyway. I do what I can and even though others think I did a good job I think I didn't. We can trust that if God calls us to do something He will see it through to happening to His glory and others will recognize the power of God in it.

^{Act 7:51} “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Hearts and ears that refuse to receive the truth is what it means for them to be uncircumcised. They have seen and heard the truth just as those who have believed but they still will not believe. They are resisting the Holy Spirit who is willing and able to reveal the truth to their ears, hearts and minds, but they resist Him. Historically those in authority have not only not received truth from men of God but they persecuted them, killed them and ignored them. These leaders continue to follow in their ancestors. Lord help me to be open to the Holy Spirit. Make me uncomfortable when I am resisting Him that I might not fall into the trap of listening to my own options and desires and disobey your will.

^{Act 7:57} At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

They were so determined to not hear truth that they acted like little children. I picture a child with their hands over their ears shouting at the top of their lungs "I can't hear you! I can't hear you!"

I think we all have time in our life that we cover out ears and shout over the voice of God in our life. I hope that now that we all have this picture in our minds, we are less likely to do it.