Wait and Listen

John 8:3-6

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.

When the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking Him what should be done about the woman caught in adultery He did not answer right away. Instead He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Luke 12:11, 12

“When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Matthew 10:19, 20

“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

When the Pharisees tested Jesus He did not answer impulsively, off the top of His head but rather He waited and listened for the Holy Spirit to teach Him what He ought to say.

You and I can learn from Jesus’ example. When the world confronts us and challenges our faith we must not answer impulsively (the response of the flesh) but rather we must wait and listen for the Holy Spirit who will speak within us and teach us what we ought to say.

So…

Do you speak out of impulse (and get the wrong answer)?

Or do you wait and listen for the Holy Spirit (who gives the right answer)?