The Holy Spirit Speaks

The Holy Spirit Speaks

Mark 13:9 – “You must watch out for yourselves. You will be handed over to councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them. 19 – First the gospel must be preached to all nations. 11 – When they arrest you and hand you over for trial, do not worry about what to speak. But say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

There have been many times I have prayed for the words to say at the hospital bedside, in the home, at the pulpit and on the spot and I’ve come away from those interactions wishing I had recorded myself because I was certain it was not me speaking. These verses describe a few situations in which the right words would be important: being witness before governors and kings; the imperative of the gospel being preached to the nations; and at trial before judge, jury, and their audience. It is the last one that is of particular concern and Jesus knows it. It is a stress unlike any other. A stress that Jesus lived through. His encouragement is this: the Holy Spirit will speak, not you, don’t worry. Just say whatever comes into your mind.

What do we do before these dramatic scenes take place? Jesus said to watch out for ourselves. How do we do that? Check out these words from the apostle Paul in Colossians 1:25 – I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God – given to me for you – in order to complete the word of God, 26 – that is, the mystery that has been kept hidden from ages and generations, but has not been revealed to his saints. 27 – God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 – We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. 29 – Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me.

The mystery of ‘Christ in you’ will be revealed in a most powerful way when we are led to trial for the sake of Jesus Christ and the gospel. He will work in you in such a powerful way that even your words will be His. May the Word of God be completed in each of us so that the mystery of the indwelling Christ will always be on display wherever we are. Let us take up the goal and labor for the cause of Jesus Christ today laying hold of His power which will be at work in you and in me.