Speaking for the Spirit

Luke 12:11-12

¹¹ “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

I can’t say that I have ever personally experienced this phenomenon, though in all fairness I have never been drug before a magistrate, on trial for my life because of my faith.

The Bible provides several illustrations of the fulfillment of this promise.  I am reminded of Stephan’s eloquent, chapter-long sermon moments before his martyrdom.  Then there is Peter and John’s testimony before the Sanhedrin, and Paul’s defense before Felix.  In all these situations, the Holy Spirit gave special revelation to these men in their time of distress.

That being said, I am leery of those who claim that their words are directly given by the Holy Spirit.  This verse is often sited a proof of these claims.  In no way do I doubt the Holy Spirit’s power or authority to give believers direct words.  Yet I do not see this verse fulfilled in the daily walk of Christians.

It has been my experience that if you ask 10 believers what the Holy Spirit says to them about a particular situation, you will probably get 10 different answers.  I think that many Christians sincerely desire to be more spiritual and in-tune with God, however, they try and take the shortcut bypassing sanctification and wisdom.  I think that they tend to genuinely pray for guidance or for a word from God, and then assume whatever is in their mind is from God.

This is a dangerous assumption.  Our hearts are deceptively wicked.  Because we still carry around this sinful flesh, it is difficult for us to accurately evaluate our motives and emotions.

How many scriptures can you think of that command us to listen to that small voice inside, that feeling in our gut or to follow our emotions and impressions?  Conversely, how many scriptures command us to seek wisdom be sober-minded, and obey God’s word.

For me, I will learn what the Holy Spirit has said, because what He will say is going to be very similar.  And if I do find myself facing a scourging or death sentence because of my faith, then I will lean on this promise from Christ.

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees

Chapter 12 of Luke opens with Jesus teaching before a multitude of people trampling on each other as they press closer to Him.  In the midst of this chaos He leans over to His disciples and says, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”  Leaven refers to the yeast that causes bread dough to rise.  My wife sometimes makes (delicious) homemade bread.  She mixes a plethora of flour, oil, eggs, and various other ingredients into a large bowl.  Then she adds a small packet of yeast to the mix.  The yeast comprises less than 1% of the mass of the dough, yet it has a profound effect.  The subsequent biochemical reaction causes the dough to rise, completely changing the form.  This minute bit of leaven has a great influence over the entire bread dough.

Similarly, the Pharisees, though small in number, greatly influenced the Jews.  Their hypocrisy infected the entire Jewish nation and religious system.  They were concerned with the outward appearance of righteousness, but not the true inward righteousness resulting from repentance and faith.  They cared more about the praises of men than they did about pleasing God.  They desired respectful greeting in the marketplace and the honored seats in the synagogue. So they cleaned the outside of the cup, but left the vile filth inside.  Their hypocritical leadership negatively affected the worship of the Jews as a whole.

Jesus went on to say,” I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”

At the core of the Pharisee’s hypocrisy was a fear of man rather than a fear of God.  They sought to be people pleasers, and not God pleasers.  This is backwards and foolishness (after all the fear of the Lord is the begging of wisdom).  Sure people have the power to ridicule, dishonor, injure, and even kill.  But that’s where it ends.  Almighty God, on the other hand, is the sovereign, holy judge who intrinsically has the authority to cast sinners into the hellish afterlife they have earned.  Therefore, like a disobedient child fearful of daddy’s belt, we should have a healthy respect for God and take Him and His word very seriously.

At the same time, though, we are very valuable to God.  Jesus explained that five sparrows are sold for about an hour’s wage, yet God has not forgotten a single one.  So if God cares so much for such an insignificant part of His creation, then how much more shall He remember the creatures that bear His own image?  Indeed, God values humanity so highly that He sent His son Jesus as a sacrifice four our redemption and salvation.

So whom do you fear?  Do you fear the all mighty God who cares for you beyond all comprehension?  Or do you fear the opinions, attitudes and judgments of other people?  Do you strive to please God through repentance, faith, and obedience?  Or do you strive to appear righteous so that you may receive the glory and praise from other men?

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.

Luke 1:37

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