Ephesians 6:19
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
This is great. To ask God to give us the words to speak. Granted, Paul was an apostle and he had the gift of evangelism, but even he saw the need to ask God for words. How much more should we ask for the words.
Most of us get anxious about sharing our faith. Is it the right time? Is our message going over the line? Will I push them away from Christ? Paul is telling us to pray for the right words.
I don’t think judging people’s acceptance is the right test for us. As Jesus told us that we would be rejected and it would be because of Him. The apostles received plenty of rejection in the Book of Acts. They were right to share.
Jesus says in in Luke 12:11,12, “Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” That’s amazing.
Part of me wants to expand this application to smaller stake situations. He wants us to share His Words. It would seem that we could trust for Him to give us the words in most situations. I would say that Paul’s prayer for dependance is important. As if we aren’t walking with reliance on Him, then He is less apt to help.
Jesus says in John 15:4, “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” If we are walking in Him, we bear godly fruit.
How do we abide in Him? Psalm 63:1b describes the heart of the christian; “O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.” We spend time with Him. We read His Word, We go to church, we seek to share His Word. We walk in obedience.
This might seem like a big deal. It’s not. It’s as natural for a christian to do those things as it is for a vine to produce grapes. God is in us. He is alive and His power runs through us.
We just have to know that without Him, we can do nothing and that in Him we can do anything. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, (Matthew 5:3). Paul elaborates on that concept, ‘But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me’, (2 Cor 12:9). We know He’s the power source.
Today’s verse is worded a little differently in the King James version, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” We can pray for boldness to open our mouths. Sometimes it’s as simple as starting to speak. It’s an act of faith that He blesses.
Lord, help us to have the courage to open our mouths to speak. Help us to have the courage and the words.