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Mark 13.11 (NIV)
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry
beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for
it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”
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| The Bible is the Holy Spirit clothed in paper and ink.* |
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In Bible college,
there were legendary tales of people who, rather than study, just prayed before
each test. The legends don’t say how effective this method was but I can’t see
God honoring such shallow requests.
In this verse,
Jesus is speaking to a specific audience about a specific time and place in the
future (and which is now history). But Jesus’ advice is almost always
universally applicable. For those who think that this verse gives them license
for lack of preparation, read it again.
First, as I
stated, he is addressing a specific situation - their inevitable persecution,
not a sermon or Sunday School lesson to they are soon to deliver. Second, Jesus said,
“Don’t worry.” He didn’t say that the
Holy Spirit would help you to spout words that you didn’t know or concepts with
which you are unfamiliar. If the Word isn’t in you, neither is the Spirit.
It is unlikely that
my readers will be facing persecution, but being prepared to defend your faith
is always a good position. Worrying will not help you; but if you know the
Word, the Holy Spirit will speak through you when the heat is on.
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| The Spirit can help us understand, remember, or apply certain passages in a surprising way.* |
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