Luke 21:12 - 15
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
I used to practice a lot of speeches in my head. Did you? Still do sometimes. Speeches about how I am going to set her straight. Speeches about how I am going to let him know he wronged me and I wasn't going to take it any more. Speeches filled with wit and sarcasm, cutting straight to the quick.
Usually, I practice these after I have been "wronged". Sometimes I practice them in preparation for when I am going to see him or her or them again, and boy hidy, I am going to unload with both barrels! No tears, no red face, just me putting them in their place. Soundly.
When I was reading this last night I thought what great advice the bold, italicized part in the verse above is for those exact situations. How those situations are an occasion for testimony. Testimony that could be for God's glory and not a celebration for my sinful flesh. The person leaving those conversations will have a testimony to share. What will I choose to let it be? What will I choose to be my part in it?
I really love the instruction to settle in your hearts not to mediate beforehand on what you will answer. How my time would be better spent praying for those situations instead of rehearsing how I can knock another person down a notch or two. Praying for God to guard my words. For them to be truth in love. Edifying, yet correcting if need be. Asking for my words to be His words. Humble words that willing admit my wrongdoing where I need to, willing to speak God's truth without compromising, and willing to do so with the grace and love of Christ.
I am thinking I am going to post this on my wall (my actual wall, not my FB wall) to be a reminder before me. Maybe you need to choose to do the same.
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2 comments:
Oh sister u have no idea!! Oh how I struggle with over thinking, over speaking, over worrying - ugh!! Lord please get in it and fix it!!!
man this is right on!! i do this too often, and even for predicted 'wrongs' - oh i know they will say this and then i will say that - settle, guard, let the Lord lead - Amen
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