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Some people tell lies to build their self-image, to manipulate or deceive others, to gain some social or economic advantage, or to put others down. When jealous people begin to lose, pride causes them to fabricate lies, or to demonize—all to demolish the opposition. This was one of the reasons Stephen in the Bible was lied on. In Acts chapter 6 we read, “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 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. None of them could stand against the Spirit with which he spoke. So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen. They arrested him and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, ‘This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’” All lies. Today, when God’s work is succeeding, don’t be surprised if jealous people use lying tactics to hinder or destroy it.
