God's Holy Fire: 'What You Should Say'

Friday, October 31, 2025

[Jesus said,] "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ... When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
— Luke 12:8; Luke 12:11-12 NIV

Key Thought

In these verses, Jesus gives us two incredible promises. First, he assures us that if we publicly confess our allegiance to Him, then he will claim us as his own before the Father and the angels in heaven (Matthew 10:32). Then, he goes a step beyond the first promise: He tells us that we aren't to worry even about what to say in difficult situations because the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say! No wonder the Holy Spirit is described as God's seal of ownership and our guarantee of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Today's Prayer

O Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me by your Spirit to say the things I need to say to honor Jesus with courage, conviction, love, and effectiveness. Holy Spirit, I thank you for your presence and help. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks. Amen.

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Luke 12:8
Devo: Today's Verse
"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God."
Before the Angels
Illustration of Luke 12:8
Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:8 -- I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
Confessing Christ!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of..."
A Forgotten, but Necessary, Grace of Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
Should we be surprised that so many call themselves Christians but never live for Jesus? Phil Ware shares a passion on his heart about the way we have privatized and personalize conversion and salvation that eliminates the necessary grace of Jesus' community, family, and spiritual community.
See All 6 Related Resources about Luke 12:8

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 12:8; Luke 12:11-12 NIV — "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God."

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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