When You Don't Need to Worry About What You Will Say? Matthew 10:16-20

Matthew 10 

Though the disciples mission would be exciting doing wonder and miracles in Jesus' name, they would also face much opposition.  Anytime we move out in the power of the kingdom, our enemy, the devil, will not be happy.  Paul tells us not to be "ignorant of the devil's schemes" and that our "battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of this present darkness.  

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 

We are the Lord's sheep, and he is our shepherd, but there will be wolves out there looking to "kill, steal and destroy." (John 10:10)

"Jesus freely and honestly warned His disciples that they would face persecution. Because they went out without police or military protection, He sent them as sheep in the midst of wolves." (Guzik)

Jesus uses the metaphor of being wise as snakes and innocent as doves.  Meaning they were to be smart about their actions and also live a life above reproach.  I.e. not sink to the level of their detractors. 

"Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves: Despite their vulnerable position, Jesus’ followers were not to defend themselves with worldly forms of power. They were to remain harmless as doves, though wise as serpents. Wisdom would keep them from attracting trouble unnecessarily or show them how to avoid it without compromise." (Guzik)

17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.

Some of the persecution would be religious in nature, just as Jesus will be persecuted by his own people.  There would be no preferential treatment for the rabbi, and therefore not for his disciples either. 

The local councils would represent the government and the synagogues the religous arena, therefore they would be persecuted by both church and state. 

"This affords a striking proof of the prescience of Christ. Who could have thought, at that time, that these despised and illiterate men could excite so much attention, and be called upon to apologize for the profession of their faith before the tribunals of the most illustrious personages of the earth?” (Wakefield, cited in Clarke)

18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 

The key things is "why" the disciples will be persecuted. It is because of their witness for Christ.  But in God's economy, God will use it for his own glory.  Similar to what will happen to Paul at the end of Acts, the opportunity will present itself to present the gospel to these dignataries. 

This reminds us of our the truth of Romans 8:28, "And God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose." 

When we are persecuted for Jesus it is an honor.  Paul shares this with his protege Timothy 3:10-12,

 "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 

19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 

"Jesus’ disciples could have perfect trust in God in that moment, knowing that He would speak through them even if they were unprepared." (Guzik)

"This isn’t a justification of poor preparation in teaching and preaching God’s Word, but it is a promise of strength and guidance for the persecuted that have an opportunity to testify of Jesus. (Guzik)

20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

This is one of the great promises of scripture.  It reminds us when we are obedient to any of God's commands, as we step out in faith God provides the means to accomplish what we have been called to do.  In relationship to sharing our faith the apostle Paul says, 

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26

As a pastor over the past 25 years I have heard of many people who are reticent or self conscious about praying or sharing their faith with others.  These verses remind us that the less we focus on ourselves and the more we ALLOW the Holy Spirit to work through us we will see the power of God at work even in our weakness.  

How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's power in your life? Where is God calling you to step out in faith where you will have to be more reliant on the Holy Spirit?  Where do you see Christians being more persecuted for their faith?  How can you pray for them that the Holy Spirit would give them faith and courage?

To see how this is being played out today, see this article from the BBC from May 2019.

"The persecution of Christians in parts of the world is at near "genocide" levels, according to a report ordered by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The review, led by the Bishop of Truro the Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen, estimated that one in three people suffer from religious persecution. Christians were the most persecuted religious group, it found. Mr Hunt said he felt that "political correctness" had played a part in the issue not being confronted. Religious persecution 'a threat to everyone' The interim report said the main impact of "genocidal acts against Christians is exodus" and that Christianity faced being "wiped out" from parts of the Middle East. It warned the religion "is at risk of disappearing" in some parts of the world, pointing to figures which claimed Christians in Palestine represent less than 1.5% of the population, while in Iraq they had fallen from 1.5 million before 2003 to less than 120,000."Evidence shows not only the geographic spread of anti-Christian persecution, but also its increasing severity," the Bishop wrote."

Read this article about the top 50 countries facing persecution. 

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/january/top-christian-persecution-open-doors-2020-world-watch-list.html