Give Me Words to Speak

Holy Spirit Series

Forgotten God                                           Francis Chan

The God I Never Knew                             Robert Morris

Commentary                                              Jodi Haier

pp. 74-76 Forgotten God

“If the Holy Spirit dwells within you, a number of things should (oh how I hate the implications of the word should, but that’s another blog)be a part of your life.”  The book lists several promises of God that we can count on.  I am going to highlight several of them along with the corresponding bible references.

“The spirit helps us speak when we are in precarious situations and need to bear witness.”

Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Now many of us will say, but I will never be arrested and brought to trial.  I say lets look at the language.  The word arrested means stopped. Your focus has been taken into custody by this person or event.  You no longer can do anything else but address this situation.  And as for being brought to trial, well, how often have you felt judged and you have defended your position before your peers and other interested bystanders?   Now that we have put ourselves into the scripture isn’t nice to know that if we will but calm ourselves and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will be given exactly the right thing to say.  Gee, how often have we prayed for that.  Well, how often have you actually used the words of the Holy Spirit?  And if the Spirit has remained silent….. hmmm what does that tell you, but SHUT UP!?!

Luke 12:11-12  “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Ok you may say that this is the same verse just a different gospel.  Well, I agree with you.  However, let us look at the language.  “Synagogues, rulers and authorities” are the bosses or leaders of an institution.  They are people of authority, position, honor, influence and standing.  If you are “brought before them” I don’t think it is to discuss your raise.  These are intimidating times.  We have all faced them and often felt alone while doing so.  Here we are not facing the legal system but something far less structured.  Here attitude and relational connections are very valuable.  And who are you to stand before Goliath?  Well, with the help of the Holy Spirit you are you are David and the Spirit has given you exactly the right stones (hee, hee, yes those stones, and confidence too) and reminded you exactly where you have placed your sling.

A person who lives a spirit filled life is in control of what they say and when they are silent.  By listening to the Holy Spirit, we will appear to be wise because our words will reflect our love for God and God’s people. 

Please listen to Aaron Shust’s song: Give Me Words to Speak Here’s the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b1Cb_2Ls1E