Say This
Instead!
"When they bring you to the synagogues and
magistrates and authorities, 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
In 1517,
Protestant reformer Martin Luther
prepared an outline of 95 complaints against
what he felt to be ungodly church practices.
By refusing to retract his complaints, he was
called before a church council in Germany in
1521.
Tradition says his final answer to his accusers
was, “Here I stand; I can do no other.” In the
end, he was excommunicated.
Jesus warned His disciples that they would
be brought before civil and religious authorities
because of their faith in Him. But, He told them
not to worry about how they would respond. The
Holy Spirit, “in that very
hour,” would give them
the words to say to their accusers.
Yes, we must be prepared to defend our faith
“with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3: 15).
But our best preparation is faith in God’s
presence and provision.
In a non-Christian culture, your faith
will be challenged. “Do not worry”
the Holy Spirit is with you.
"He who has the Holy Spirit
in his heart and the Scriptures
in his hands has all he needs."
Alexander Maclaren