Which other Scriptures emphasize God's provision of words in difficult situations? Hearing the Promise in Matthew 10:19 “ But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say.” Jesus doesn’t merely offer comfort; He guarantees that words will be supplied at the precise moment of need. Echoes in the Synoptic Gospels These parallel passages reinforce the same promise: • Mark 13:11 — “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever is given you at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” • Luke 12:11-12 — “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.” • Luke 21:14-15 — “So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” Roots in the Old Testament Long before the apostles, God consistently placed His words in the mouths of His servants: • Exodus 4:10-12 — To a hesitant Moses: “Now go! I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” • Isaiah 50:4 — “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, to sustain the weary with a word…” • Jeremiah 1:6-9 — “Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: ‘I have put My words in your mouth.’ ” The Early Church Lives It Out The promise becomes visible in real-time ministry moments: • Acts 4:8 — “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” and a Spirit-given defense unfolds. • Acts 6:10 — Stephen’s opponents “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 — Paul notes that his message came “with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” • Ephesians 6:19 — He asks prayer “that whenever I open my mouth, divine utterance may be given me, so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel.” • 2 Timothy 4:17 — “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed…” Putting It Together Across Scripture, God repeatedly takes responsibility for the content, timing, and impact of His servants’ words. The pattern is clear: 1. A calling leads to potential opposition. 2. The servant feels inadequate. 3. God pledges, “I will give you the words.” 4. The Holy Spirit delivers in the critical moment, and listeners cannot refute the wisdom God provides. When we stand in obedience, the same Spirit who spoke through Moses, Jeremiah, Peter, Stephen, and Paul stands ready to speak through us—exactly when and how He chooses. |
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