We all have people with whom we want to speak about the Lord. And sometimes it can be very hard to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. I asked Pastor Hoots to pray for me about witnessing to my family. And he said I will pray that the Lord gives you the the right thing to say at the right time and with the right spirit.
The Right Thing
The Lord always says the right thing. Is 45:19 I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Prov 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
If we say what he said then we can say the right thing. Prov 23:15-16 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
We need to be alert when reading the Bible, attentive when listening to others, and aware of the Spirit’s leading in what to say, Jn 14:26. If we do these, we will be able to say the right thing.
The Right Time
Jesus knew the right time. He only gave his disciples what they could receive. Mk 4:33 “as they were able to hear it”.
Jn 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Jn 16:13-14. He waited for the Holy Spirit to come to give them what they could bear later.
The Right Spirit
Job 26:1-4 Job asked, “Whose spirit came from thee”? When you’re speaking, are you speaking with your spirit or the Lord’s?
In Lk 9:51-56, when John and James were ready to call down fire upon the Samaritans, Jesus said, “ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of”. Remember Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved, Jn 3:17.
Some men just want to argue. That does no good. In Job 6:25, Job said, “how forcible are right words, but what doth your arguing reprove”?
Conclusion: In Job 32:1-22, Elihu utilized all three of these when making his point with Job. He waited for the right time to speak. He spoke with the right spirit. And when he spoke, he said the right thing. We must do the same when witnessing to our family and friends.