But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:19-20)
Many times people tell me that when they are around people that are critical of Christianity they do not know what to say so they just don’t say anything. Later, they feel frustrated because they are upset by what they heard, but could not think of anything to say. When this happens, they will often ask me what would I have said. When I tell them, many will take out something to write on and write down my words so they can use what I said if it happens again.
For the record, I am NOT the Holy Spirit. My words are not the Word of God. Therefore, if we think about it for a moment, if God has given me the gift or preaching and teaching, it is a good thing for His glory. However, last time I checked, there is no gift of inspired Words anymore. God gave that gift to the prophets and apostles who wrote the Bible under the direction of God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 3:2-5; 2 Peter 1:16-21; 2 Peter 3:1-2). By this I meant that God has given us everything we need in HIS Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He has not gifted me or anyone else for that matter with new Words of Scripture. This is why when I hear someone say to me that the Lord told them this or that, using direct quotes, I cringe, especially because what they say is almost always blasphemous or grossly contradicts Scripture.
Think about this for a moment. If God directly told me something to say to others, how is this any different than what he said to Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or Luke, or Paul? And, if He did tell me directly to say something to others, then how are the Words He gave me to say not considered equal to Scripture? And, if they are, then God is a liar about the Scriptures being completed because He tells me not to add to His Word or He will reprove me and show everyone that I am a liar (Proverbs 30:5-6). Likewise, if I add or take away from His Word, then it is not the Spirit of Truth that lives within me, it is that spirit of anti-Christ that is the father of lies from the beginning and his end in determined (Zechariah 13:1-6; John 8:44-45; 1 John 2:20-27; Revelation 22:18-19). And, if His end is determined, then so is my end with him (Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:15).
No, God has given us everything we need to attain eternal salvation, change into the image of Christ, and stand before Him one day, perfect, as Jesus is perfect (Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Today’s Scripture verses teach us that it is His Words that we need to study and learn. Then, when we find ourselves in difficult situation and do not know what to say, the Holy Spirit will bring to mind that Scriptures that provide answers and cuts through man’s illogical thinking. Therefore, God has called me not to teach my words to use in these situations, but to teach others to learn His Words (2 Timothy 2:1-2). His Words are what the Holy Spirit brings to mind to provide an answer for the hope that lies within us (1 Peter 3:12-17). Then, if anyone one has a problem with what we say, they have a problem with God’s Words, not us and they can take it up with Him when they see Him (John 15:17-16:16). May God bless us with a hunger to learn His Word.
