Speak.

May it please the Court.. My name is Julie Destine, and I represent x person.

Those were words I often repeated as a debater in high school, but I often find myself debating in a different way: evangelism. I find myself defending the Word and fighting for it stands for and taking courage for what it says. Is it easy to defend it -- no, but the Holy Spirit gives me wisdom in what to say. In a passage in the Bible, Peter and John were defending themselves through the help of the Holy Spirit for a miracle that was done through them. They had recently healed a man, and there was a lot of attention given to what just happened, causing Peter and John to go before the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) to explain what happened. However, Peter wasn’t left alone. Here was his response:

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12, NKJV)

Peter received help from the Holy Spirit to speak, and Jesus promised them that too. He said when his disciples had to go before the authorities, the Holy Spirit would teach them what to say (Luke 12:11-12). What that means is that when the moment comes to defend our faith, the Holy Spirit will give us the strength and words to speak. There will be times in which you will have to defend your faith, but the question is “Are you ready?” If so, what would you say?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, You are good, and You are kind. Teach us to know Your ways and to teach and speak what You want us to say. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

That’s all I have for today! Don’t forget you are loved, salty, and lit! Talk to you soon! 🧡