See What You Say

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so, be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.  But be aware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”

“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given to you in that hour what you are to say.  For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

Matthew 10:16-20

I have noticed there are a lot of anti-Christian people walking around whom randomly insert their negative opinions of the Church and Christians in general conversations.  I don’t even have to mention that I am Christian for the attacks to come.  If I were not the nice person I am I might reply, “Well, you are going to hell.” 

With God’s help, I am able to find something more appropriate to say like, “Why do you think that?”  Conversation will often reveal that these people have never been to church or have not been there in years, or have had an experienced in which they felt the Church failed them.  Once we see the hurt, we can apply the bandage of God’s love.

Jesus warned the Disciples that things would not be easy for them as they took the Gospel to the world.  But along with the warning came His assurance that God would provide the right words with which they were to reply.   

The Spirit of God is still at work today.  Open your mouth and see what you say.