“When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12)
The Lord Jesus is preparing His followers for persecution. They will be dragged before religious and political courts because of their faith. What should they say at such moments to defend themselves?
The Lord Jesus emphasizes the importance of confessing His Name. In other words, to acknowledge that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. Jesus is completely realistic about the consequences such a confession of faith can have. It can cost them their lives. But, He adds, that is all people can do to them. People can only kill the body. Their soul is safe with the Lord. That is a great comfort — if you are firmly convinced of God’s promise of eternal life!
Moreover, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will help believers when they have to give an account of their faith. He will teach them what to say at that moment. That way, even the words of fearful Christians become a powerful testimony!
For some Christians, publicly confessing their faith is life-threatening. Others risk ridicule or scorn at most. But even that can be difficult. Are you willing to testify of your faith regardless of the consequences? What does it evoke in you when you hear Christians testify in the midst of persecution?