There is nothing in the realm of sin that is damaging the Church of Jesus Christ and destroying one's spiritual life more than bitterness. This spirit of animosity surely is not of God. If one is controlled by hatred, he certainly should question his profession of faith. A Spirit-filled Christian is known by the love he has for others. The Holy Spirit says that heavenly languages, when boasted about without the evidence of love, become nothing but manifestations of the flesh.
Charity never faileth.
This is the love the crucified Savior manifested at Calvary. He could love in the midst of hate. Our humanity limits us in loving the unlovely. This mere mortal man, filled with the Holy Spirit, manifested the same loving kindness that his Savior did upon Calvary's tree. The Scriptures picture Stephen preaching a strong, sin-denouncing sermon.