How God’s Messengers Live and Speak
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:45
Being a messenger of God is a weighty and wonderful calling. Whether you’re preaching, encouraging a friend, sharing your faith at work, or parenting your children in truth and love, you’re serving as a vessel of God’s Word. Today’s readings offer ten key insights—or “top tips”—for those who long to speak for God.
1. Keep Your Heart Right (Luke 6:45)
What comes out of our mouths reveals what’s truly in our hearts. We can’t fake it for long. The best preparation for being God’s messenger is a heart constantly being cleansed, renewed, and filled with the Spirit.
Dallas Willard emphasized, “The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become.” The heart is the wellspring of a messenger’s words. A transformed heart speaks life because it overflows with the goodness of Christ. Without ongoing inner renewal, our message becomes hollow or harsh.
C.S. Lewis echoes this: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” God often purifies the heart through trials, making our witness more authentic.
2. Avoid Condemnation (Luke 6:37)
Jesus urges us not to judge or condemn. A messenger of God must remember that we are not the Judge, but witnesses to His grace. Extend mercy as you’ve received it.
John Stott warned that “we have no right to pronounce final judgment on another, for we are not God.” A true messenger reflects Christ’s mercy, not a spirit of superiority. We are called not to condemn but to point toward redemption.
Eugene Peterson translates Luke 6:37 in The Message as: “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” God’s messenger speaks with compassion.
3. Give Freely (Luke 6:38)
Generosity is a hallmark of those who represent God. Whether in material things, time, love, or truth—give freely, and God will pour more into you.
Charles Spurgeon preached, “God will not let you give more than He can give back to you.” God’s messengers are generous in spirit, truth, love, and time. We sow into others without fear, because our God supplies abundantly.
Richard Foster writes in Celebration of Discipline, “The life that is unhurried and open to others is the life that is full of spiritual power.” Giving freely of ourselves allows space for the Spirit to work through us.
4. Walk in Integrity (Psalm 37:37)
God delights in the blameless. People may not always agree with your message, but if your life reflects peace and righteousness, they’ll see the difference.
William Barclay observed, “The upright person will have enemies, but God watches over their life.” Integrity doesn’t always win friends, but it earns respect and aligns the messenger with the message.
Alexander Maclaren notes, “Integrity is not sinlessness, but sincerity.” God’s messenger must be real, honest, and humble.
5. Expect Opposition (Psalm 37:32)
The wicked may lie in wait for the righteous—but the Lord will not leave His messengers defenseless. Expect resistance, but trust God’s protection.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who stood firm under Nazi persecution, said: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” God’s message often disrupts the world’s comfort. Expect rejection, but trust the Lord to defend and deliver you.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “We are not necessarily safe, but we are secure.” The path of God’s messenger is risky but protected by divine promise.
6. Listen Before You Speak (Numbers 22:31-35)
Balaam’s donkey had to speak before he finally opened his ears to God. Don’t be so fixed on your own path that God has to block you dramatically. Pause. Listen. Let Him guide you.
Eugene Peterson warns: “Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It is essentially laziness… it lets others determine what I shall do instead of resolutely deciding myself.” Balaam didn’t listen until forced to. We must slow down and seek God’s voice before speaking.
John Wesley said, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” Listening begins with prayer.
7. Speak Only What God Gives (Numbers 23:12)
Even Balaam, flawed though he was, said, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?” God’s messengers don’t invent their own message. We are carriers, not creators.
Jeremiah 1:9 shows God putting His words in the prophet’s mouth. Likewise, Charles Spurgeon reminds preachers: “It is not your sermon, but God’s Word that saves.” A faithful messenger speaks God’s truth, not their own agenda.
Eugene Peterson framed preaching as “bringing the Word across a distance, from God’s heart to the human heart.”
8. Keep Learning Humility (Luke 7:6-9)
The Roman centurion understood authority and humility—he knew Jesus could speak healing with a word. God’s messengers are under authority and must speak with both humility and boldness.
Andrew Murray wrote, “Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” The centurion recognized Jesus’ authority and his own unworthiness. God’s messengers never graduate from the school of humility.
Dallas Willard said, “The surest mark of a disciple is not knowledge but love—and humility flows from love.”
9. Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:39-40)
Find your strength, hope, and security in the Lord. He is the source of your salvation and your message. Trust in Him fully, and He will rescue you.
John Piper declares, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Joy in the Lord fuels the messenger’s perseverance. When others oppose, the delight of the Lord is strength.
Matthew Henry comments: “God’s help is laid up for His people, and shall in due time be laid out upon them.” Rest in that promise.
10. Let Your Life Confirm Your Words (Psalm 37:37 )
It’s not just what we say, but how we live. As Psalm 37 says, the future of the blameless is peace. Make sure your life is in step with your lips.
Francis of Assisi is often quoted (though paraphrased): “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” The power of the message is most compelling when the life of the messenger reflects Christ’s beauty and truth.
Richard Baxter, the Puritan pastor, once prayed, “Lord, let me not be a blot, but a blessing.” A godly life is the loudest sermon.
Closing Reflection:
Being God’s messenger isn’t about eloquence, charisma, or popularity—it’s about faithfulness, humility, integrity, and love. As you speak for God today—at home, in prayer, through writing, or over coffee—may your heart be full of Jesus, and may His words flow from your life.
Prayer
Lord, make me a faithful messenger. Fill my heart with your truth, so my words will flow from your Spirit. Keep me humble, courageous, and grounded in your Word. Help me speak only what you give, and live in a way that glorifies you. Amen.
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