Spirit-led speaking isn’t scripted

Jesus told His disciples: “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.” As opponents spoke against Stephen (a table server, not a preacher), “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” That’s Spirit-led speaking!

When we’re speaking from God’s Spirit, He gives us wisdom “as we speak.” Words, ideas, and statements flow out of us without our having to prepare them ahead of time. This happens in casual conversation all the time. However, when it comes to talking about Jesus, we’ve labeled that preaching, formalized it, and limited it to a professional pastor who almost always prepares it ahead of time by studying and writing with his mental abilities.

The “wisdom” from typical sermons is quickly forgotten. (Ask someone to tell you what the last sermon they heard was about.) As Stephen passionately spoke from the heart about the risen Jesus: “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”

People need to hear the wisdom that God gives as we speak, not the results of our own ability to study, memorize, and systematize religious ideas. They need to sense that it’s not us speaking but the Holy Spirit speaking in and from our heart. For that to happen, we need to say whatever is given to us by the Spirit at that time.

So, does that mean that sharing the Gospel with others, testimonies, and sermons shouldn’t be prepared ahead of time? Actually, it means that we should change the way we prepare. We should prepare our heart to be always connected to and open to the inner flow of the Holy Spirit, instead of preparing and scripting the exact words that we are going to say. That’s what Stephen did! That’s why he was so powerful.

Will you (whether you call yourself a preacher or not) began to set aside formal oratory and begin to (like Stehpen) spontaneously talk about Jesus from your heart in the moment? If you will, you’ll begin to experience wisdom that God gives as you speak. Try it today. Spontaneously open your heart and freely talk about Jesus the way you talk about your favorite things. Let God’s Spirit-led speaking flow from within you.

Following Christ isn’t about church attendance and passively listening to a scripted sermon. It’s about hearing and obeying Him from the heart and being led by the Spirit in all that you think, say, and do.

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