What Jesus Did! 'The Holy Spirit Will Help' — Luke 12:11-12

Monday, August 14, 2023

[To his disciples, Jesus continued,] "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said."
— Luke 12:11-12 NLT

Key Thought

As seen in yesterday's devotional, Jesus warned in the previous verse [1] against blaspheming the Holy Spirit. By contrast, in today's verses, Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit lived in and worked through them, especially when they would face great opposition and when they would need to defend themselves before rulers and authorities. The Holy Spirit would be with them to help them know what to say. They would not be alone, no matter how it might feel to them. Their words would have power because of the Spirit's speaking through them. Those who ignored their words were ignoring the very Spirit of God speaking through them. Likewise, if we ignore the words they left for us, we are resisting the Spirit of God. [2]

[1] Luke 12:10.
[2] Acts 7:51.

Today's Prayer

Father, speak through me and, by the power of your Holy Spirit, use me to your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Luke 12:11-12
Devo: Today's Verse
"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..."
No Worries
Illustration of Luke 12:11-12
Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:11-12 -- 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.
What You Should Say
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[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..."
Having a Fitting Reply
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
Let's worship today, praising God and asking for the help of the Holy Spirit as we seek to respond to people as Jesus did! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online, virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to help us understand how to give fitting replies to others in different conversation contexts.
See All 5 Related Resources about Luke 12:11-12

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 12:11-12 NLT — "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 14, 2023

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Isaiah 46:4
"Even to your old age and gray hairs, I AM he, I AM he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'In the Name of the Lord!'
"Then he said, "Today I [Goliath] stand and dare the army of Israel! Send one of your men to fight me!" … For forty days the Philistine came out every...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 4:13-15
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Adopted as His Own' (Ro. 8:14-15)
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!