Testify – Giving Evidence of God at Work
To testify is to give evidence – to speak from personal experience of what God has done. Every believer carries a story the Holy Spirit can use to challenge, encourage and draw others to Christ. Your testimony is uniquely yours – no one else can tell it, and no one can argue with it.
The Power of Personal Testimony
As representatives of Jesus we should always be prepared to sow seeds of Christianity into the lives of those we interact with and speak about Him to those who ask (1 Pet 3:15). Having a short, up-to-date testimony of God at work in your life can be powerfully used by the Holy Spirit to challenge or encourage another. There is power in our words: spoken at the right moment, they can carry the very conviction or comfort the Holy Spirit intends for the one who hears. It is not about our knowledge of, but our relationship with, the Lord, so our words should magnify Him, not us. Keep it simple, honest and brief – a few sentences are often enough for the Holy Spirit to work with.
While skeptics may argue about the existence of God or debate the validity of Scripture, no one can deny your personal experiences with Him, nor refute the transformation in your character. There is power in our testimony, even if our theology is incomplete (Jn 9:25; Rev 12:11). What God has done for you personally is evidence that speaks directly to the heart of the listener.
No one can deny your experience
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel...do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord” (Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:8). Do I speak to others about what Christ has done for me, or am I fearful of their response, or embarrassed and ashamed my living won’t match up to what I say?
If my lifestyle and actions are deficient, what steps am I taking to bring them more into line with God’s standard? The Bible asks, how will they hear unless we tell (Rom 10:14)?
Our walk should match our talk
A Bold and Victorious Testimony
David spoke from personal experience with a bold, victorious testimony. As he recalled how God had helped him in the past, he confidently believed for a future victory (1 Sam 17:34-36). Remembering past deliverances strengthens present faith and gives confidence for the battles ahead.
To speak to others about your faith will also ‘build you up’ as you tell what great things the Lord has done for you (Mk 5:19). A testimony shared in humility keeps the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on us, and each retelling renews our own gratitude for what He has done.
Tell what great things the Lord has done
Reflection and Application
- Write a short, up-to-date account of what God has done in your life, and keep it ready to share.
- Ask God for an opportunity this week to speak about Christ with someone who is seeking.
- Identify one area where your walk does not match your talk, and take a step to bring it into line.
- Recall a past answer to prayer and share it with someone as an encouragement to their faith.
See also: share, testimony, witness/witnessing.