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

  • Acts 1:8
  • Acts 4:29-31
  • Acts 6:8-10

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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.

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.

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