It has become my practice each time the Lord gives me an opportunity to speak or teach in His name, to invite the Holy Spirit to translate. In other words, as the words leave my mouth, I want Him to take them and make them able to be heard by each individual heart.
Sometimes, after I finish speaking, a person will stop to talk with me and they’ll tell me that something I said spoke directly to them. More often than not, when they repeat to me exactly what was said, I realize that I never even said it or at least never said it the way they heard it! That’s the Spirit of God at work. He helps us hear and understand the things of God.
In Acts chapter 2 the mixed multitude gathered in Jerusalem became bewildered and amazed when the disciples spoke because, “they were each one hearing them speak in his own language” (verse 6).
“They were amazed and marveled, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear the in our own language in which we were born?” Acts 2:7-8
The crowd that day was made up of folks from all over the place – Romans, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – and yet they proclaimed, “. . . we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”
Are you ever afraid to speak up for Christ because you just don’t know what to say? Maybe like Moses you’d like to be excused from the role of witnessing for Jesus due to your inability to speak clearly or confidently. The good news is, although we may mumble and bumble, the Holy Spirit is never hindered by our lack of finesse. You can step out in courage, boldly proclaiming the mighty deeds of God just as the early disciples did. When you do, the Holy Spirit will be there to make much of your humble offering. Those who have ready hearts will respond as He translates your speech into a language they understand.
What happens if they think you’re nuts? Well then, you’re in good company! While many in the audience that day at Pentecost stood amazed, others mocked God’s followers declaring them to be nothing but a bunch of drunks (2:13). Even with the Holy Spirit translating, there will be those who don’t get it.
You and I must speak up. God does the rest. And, for any who are not yet ready to believe, the Lord is patient, not wanting any to perish.
Be His ambassador. Offer your body, specifically your mouth, as a living sacrifice, your reasonable act of worship (Romans 12:1-2), to the God who has done mighty deeds in your life so He can do mighty deeds in others through your obedience!
Who needs to hear about Jesus today . . . from you? Family? Friends? Co-workers? Doctors and nurses? Bank clerks? The bag boy at the end of your grocery lane? Be on the lookout for the one God sends your way today. Ask the Holy Spirit to translate and then speak up for Christ!
Leave a Reply