When You Need God to Help You Speak
“Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” (Exo. 4:12 NIV)
Most people have experienced moments when they didn’t know what to say. It may be sharing your faith with a friend, speaking to a group, encouraging someone who is hurting, defending your beliefs, or having a difficult conversation. At times like these, we may feel inadequate, unprepared, or afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Moses felt that way when God called him to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses doubted his ability to speak effectively, but God reminded him that the One who created his mouth would also provide the words he needed.
God has not changed. He still equips His people today. When we seek His guidance and depend on His Spirit, He will help us communicate in ways that accomplish His purposes.
The Holy Spirit Will Help You Speak
“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12 NIV)
Jesus assured His followers that they would not be left to rely solely on their own wisdom or abilities. The Holy Spirit would guide them, teach them, and give them the words they needed when the time came.
“For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matt. 10:20 NLT)
This does not mean we should neglect preparation, but it does mean we can trust God to work through us. He often gives clarity, wisdom, and confidence in ways we could never produce on our own.
God Gives Wisdom and Understanding
“For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” (Luke 21:15 NIV)
God’s Word has power because it comes from Him. When we fill our hearts and minds with Scripture, the Holy Spirit can bring those truths to our remembrance when they are needed most.
“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13 NLT)
As God’s Word continues working in us, it also flows through us to encourage, strengthen, and help others.
Therefore
When you are uncertain about what to say, trust the One who created your voice. Pray for wisdom, listen to the Holy Spirit, and speak with sincerity, humility, and love. God delights in using ordinary people to communicate His extraordinary truth.
“Then the LORD asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD?’” (Exo. 4:11 NLT)
“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 NLT)
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (1 Peter 3:15:16 ESV)
“For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.” (2 Cor. 2:17)
Quote
“Because God gave you your makeup and superintended every moment of your past, including all the hardship, pain, and struggles, He wants to use your words in a unique manner. No one else can speak through your vocal cords, and, equally important, no one else has your story.” - Charles R. Swindoll
PS: If this devotional blessed you today, I’d love for you to forward it to a friend who might need some encouragement too!