Hearing His Voice #192

When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.

Matthew 10:19

Few of us in the Western church today would expect Jesus to begin a sentence with, “When you are arrested,” but we would certainly rejoice at the instruction that comes afterward. And though the context narrows the audience to those living under persecution, the principle applies to all of us. There are times, particularly under pressure, when we don’t have to focus on getting all the words right. God Himself will speak through us.

The great comfort of this verse is not that God is always inspiring our words—we have enough experience with slips of the tongue to know that isn’t true—but that He can fill us with His words at any moment. He doesn’t possess us and control us, so we shouldn’t wait for some different state of consciousness to take over. He does, however, fill us with His Spirit and His own nature and desires, so at times we will notice that we seem more energetic and insightful than usual. Then we wonder whether it’s the Holy Spirit at work in us, and after reflecting on the experience, realize that it must have been. That’s how it usually plays out—not a distinct experience of Spirit-possession, but an intertwining of God’s Spirit with ours, and with some sort of fruitful result to prove it. At critical times in our relationships, we become a mouthpiece of the Lord, who happens to use our mouths and personalities in the process.

Most Christians have, at some point or another, been a mouthpiece for the Lord, often without even being aware of it. But whether we recognize it or not, God speaks through us. And when we rely on Him without worrying about our words, He speaks most freely.

Holy Spirit, give me the words to say—not just in pressure situations, but in every relationship I have. Let my words be seasoned with Your grace, truth, and power. Use my mouth as You wish.