No second-guessing allowed

It's easy to second-guess what we've said about Jesus to our unbelieving family, friends, acquaintances and strangers, especially if the response is negative or there's no response at all. Jesus told the disciples specifically not to do this. In Matthew 10 He said: "You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up do not worry about how or what you should speak."

Paul is a good example of someone who was a good spur-of-the-moment witness. When he talked to the people of Athens, he brought up the "Unknown God" inscription he had seen when strolling through the city to segue into the subject of Jesus (Acts 17). When he talked to Felix he spoke of "sin, righteousness and judgement" (Acts 24). Before Agrippa and Bernice he told his story (Acts 26).

If he mulled over these encounters later with thoughts of "Why did I say that and not this?" and "What was I thinking of when I brought that up?" he shouldn't have. For I believe he was a fulfillment of what Jesus said would happen. God gave him ideas and words for each occasion. All he had to do was be obedient, open his mouth and let those words come out, then leave the results with God.

I want to be more tuned to that kind of witnessing -- the kind that refuses to fret and stew over what to say but trusts that God will supply the ideas and the words. Then, instead of over-thinking myself into silence, I want to actually open my mouth and express those ideas, say those words.