Answer 12: He gives believers boldness to speak for God.

What is the number one thing that holds Christians back from speaking about God to non-Christians in their world? Can you guess? You may have even experienced this yourself.

The primary thing that disables Christians and stops them speaking about God or their faith in Jesus Christ is… can you guess what it is… here it is… It is Fear.

Fear about what to say and when to say it. Fear over people rejecting them. Fear that people will be offended. Fear about not knowing how to respond to questions people may have. Fear that they will be ridiculed, mocked, persecuted or in some circumstances the fear of being killed for their faith.

This is why I love journeying with churches through EvangelismSHIFT, helping Christians everywhere overcome this fear.

All over the world there are Christians who live with this fear of speaking up and speaking out for God. Some of these Christians have a genuine deep desire to speak about Jesus and share their faith with others, and yet fear holds them back. Do you desire to live as a faithful witness for Jesus and yet are often held back by fear?

Today, by God’s grace, you can overcome this fear and live with boldness in speaking for God and sharing the good news of Jesus. But you can’t do this in your own strength. Jesus never expected you to, but He can, and he wants to speak boldly through you.

In Acts 4 we read of Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit”, boldly speaking about Jesus and the religious leaders taking offence at what Peter proclaimed. After being warned sternly never to speak of Jesus again Peter and John gathered with Christian friends to share what had happened.

As they gather, there is no doubt that Peter, John and the believers took their threats seriously. However, isn’t their response interesting? They don’t cower and begin to hide. They immediately begin to lift their voices in worship to God, recognizing his plan and sovereignty in their situation. Then we see them praying,

V29 “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 

Do you notice what they asked God for? They didn’t ask God to take them out of the situation or for a way out. They asked that they may continue to speak His word with all boldness. They shared Gods heart for all mankind to know the Good News of his son Jesus Christ.

Do you need this kind of boldness? God knows your fears and wants to grant you his boldness.

Remember today the greatness and majesty of your sovereign Lord. Ask God to grant you his boldness to speak for Him when the opportunities come, and leave the results to him. Do you know how God responded to the believers’ prayer in Acts?

…v31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Can you see Gods response to their prayer? They were all filled them with the Holy Spirit.

Can you see the result of Gods response? They continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, it is the Holy Spirit who gives you boldness to speak for God.

Take time now to worship Jesus and give whatever fears you have to him. 

Ask Jesus to help you speak the word of God with boldness