Core Christian Value
The power of the Holy Spirit allows you to be a spokesperson beyond any level of skill you could possibly imagine. When empowered, you can say “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” GALATIANS 2:20 NKJV
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” LUKE 21:10-16 NKJV
There is the answer. When your adversaries accuse you, and they will when nation rises against nation, in the end times, do not worry about being able to speak as Jesus for He will give you a mouth and wisdom that exceed your personal abilities. He will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, empower you. Listen to Luke explain it: “…do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” LUKE 12:11-12 NKJV
When Moses was called upon by God to lead God’s people out of Egypt to the Holy Land, Moses complained to God about his inability to speak well. Listen to God’s answer: So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” EXODUS 4:11-12 NKJV. Moses found that it was God who would supply him with words, wisdom and courage.
There was an occasion, just after the gift of the Holy Spirit had been given to the followers of Jesus, that Stephen, who had been appointed to leadership duties, was “full of faith and power”. He did great wonders and signs among the people. Then things turned ugly. “…there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen …disputing with Stephen.” And the Bible says, “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he (Stephen) spoke.” ACTS 6:8-10 NKJV
Stephen, who was stoned to death that same hour by those who disagreed with him, gave one of the most moving speeches in the Bible (ACTS Ch. 7) and finished by saying words very similar to those said by Christ on the cross as the enemies of Jesus killed him. “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” Have you the courage to declare your faith in Jesus when surrounded by the enemy? Does the Holy Spirit embolden you? Listen: “…do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” MATTHEW 10:19-20 NKJV
Doesn’t it seem wrong to worry about the enemies of Christianity coming after you in your present circumstances? Can you envision a time when those who hate Jesus will hate you? What does the Bible tell you about expecting persecution? Where will you get the wisdom to respond? Before you face an enemy, remember your objective. It is in verse 13, below. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” PSALM 51:10-13 NKJV