17 - Answering Our Accusers

Jesus warned us that following Him would get us in trouble, and He didn’t promise that He would always get us out. But He did promise He would be with us in that moment, and would speak through us. He said when we stand before our accusers He would empower us and make us witnesses for Him. And this is exactly what we see happening here with Peter and John. Basically, they’re in trouble, standing in front of Israel’s highest court, for doing what Jesus did.

When we become believers and begin to live out our faith to the point that we make a difference in other people’s lives, we become part of a great spiritual war. Those who are looking for the true God, like us, but those who aren’t, don’t. I mean they really don’t, and some, particularly those with a lot to lose, can get very hostile. And it’s not that they don’t understand what we’re saying or have doubts that’s what’s happening is real, it’s because we’ve become a threat to their way of life. They like what they have and they’re not going to let anyone, even God, take it away without a fight. And that’s where you come in. You’re the one who’s bringing God into their world. You’re the one disturbing their peace of mind. So, you’re the one who must be silenced. The promise we’re seeing today is that God won’t let that happen. When you need Him, He’ll fill you with the Holy Spirit and give you the words to speak.