The Gift of Words
"When they saw the courage of Peter and
John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were
astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts
4:13-14)
Did you ever wish you had the gift of words?
You know, the gift of being able to know exactly the right thing to say at
exactly the right time and in exactly the right way? Maybe you have such
a gift, and if you do, count yourself blessed. But perhaps you
sometimes feel somewhat like I do--not quite sure of what to say, when, or
how, or even if I should say anything at all! Of course, this
isn't a new problem. The Bible records the story of someone with this
problem clear back in the book of Exodus: "Moses said to the LORD, 'O
Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have
spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.'" (Ex 4:10).
In this story, Moses was using this
argument because he didn't feel adequate to do what the Lord was asking
him to do! Can you relate? Do you ever feel that God has guided you into
a specific situation, and now you have no idea what to say, or even if you
should say anything at all? I certainly know this feeling, and how often
have I uttered words like Moses: "O Lord, I have never been eloquent,
neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow
of speech and tongue." (Ex. 4:10).
But when God gives us an assignment to do, He
doesn't allow something as little as "slow of speech" to hinder His work!
Whatever the Lord asks of us, He is faithful and mighty to provide us with
whatever we might need to do the task: "for it is God who works in
you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phil 2:13).
The promise to work in us and give us what we
need to fulfill His will is specifically mentioned in regards to speech!
First, there was God's response to Moses: "The LORD said to him, 'Who
gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or
makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and
will teach you what to say.'" (Ex 4:11-12). In other words, God
created our mouths! Shouldn't the creator of our mouths also be powerful
enough to fill our mouths with His words?
Jesus also addressed this problem with His
disciples: ". . . do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At
that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you
speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
(Matt 10:19-20).
This is good news, my friends! We do not
have to worry about the problem of never know what to say, when to say it,
or even if it should be said at all! When we ask, God will give us the
words to say, and whatever words those are, we can be assured that they
ARE the RIGHT ones, for it isn't us talking, but "the Spirit of
your Father speaking through you"!
And just how effective do your words become
when you allow the Spirit to speak through you? Let's take a look at the
story found in Acts 4. Peter and John have just healed a lame man,
and this opens up a wonderful opportunity to speak to the people in the
Temple. They seize this opportunity, and Peter, an unlearned fisherman,
preaches such a powerful sermon that the church increases to 5000 men that
day! Now wouldn't you say that is pretty good proof of the power of the
Word when it's spoken through us by God's Spirit? But let's look a
few verses farther. The religious leaders take exception to Peter's
sermon (and especially to all the converts!!!) and they throw Peter and
John into prison for the night. The next day, they bring them before the
counsel to question them, but they are so in awed by the oral presentations
of these men, for they realize they are unschooled and ordinary, that the
Bible records "they were astonished and they took note that these men
had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:14).
Does your speech always say that you've been
with Jesus? It will, if you allow the Spirit of God to speak through
you!
Father God, I praise You that I do not need
to worry about what I am to say, but I am simply to trust Your Spirit to
place the proper words in my mouth! Lord, may my speech be so directed by
Your Spirit, that people will be able to say of me: "this person has been
with Jesus!"
Love in Christ,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets (
www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/ ), Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org ,