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The Spirit Gives the Right Words, June 19
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh
in you.
Matthew 10:20
.
Of all the gifts which God has given to man, none is more precious than
the gift of speech, if it is sanctified by the Holy Spirit. It is with the tongue
that we convince and persuade: with it we offer prayer and praise to God, and
with it we convey rich thoughts of the Redeemer’s love. Those who are fitted
to enlighten minds will often have opportunity to read from the Bible or from
books which teach the truth, and thus bring the evidence to enlighten souls.
When the Lord’s voice calls, “Whom shall I send? and who will go for
us?” the divine Spirit puts it into hearts to respond, “Here am I; send me”
(
Isaiah 6:8
). But bear in mind that the live coal from the altar must first touch
your lips. Then the words you speak will be wise and holy words. Then you
will have wisdom to know what to say and what to leave unsaid. You will
not try to reveal your smartness as theologians. You will be careful not to
arouse a combative spirit or excite prejudice, by introducing indiscriminately
all the points of our faith. You will find enough to talk about that will not
excite opposition, but that will open the heart to desire a deeper knowledge
of God’s Word.
The Lord desires you to be soul winners; therefore, while you should not
force doctrinal points upon the people, you should “be ready always to give
an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear” (
1 Peter 3:15
). Why fear? Fear lest your words
should savor of self-importance, lest unadvised words be spoken, lest the
words and manner should not be after Christ’s likeness. Connect firmly with
Christ, and present the truth as it is in Him. Hearts cannot fail to be touched
by the story of the atonement.
As you learn the meekness and lowliness of Christ, you will know what
you should say to the people; for the Holy Spirit will tell you what words you
ought to speak. Those who realize the necessity of keeping the heart under
the control of the Holy Spirit will be enabled to sow seed that will spring up
into eternal life. This is the work of the gospel evangelist.—
(Australasian)
Union Conference Record, July 1, 1902
.
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