I’ve read through Acts 4 a couple times this morning and I’m continually drawn back to Acts 4:13-22.

The fact that they were speechless in v14 and how Luke 21:15 says He will give us a mouth and wisdom which none of our adversaries can withstand but, what’s more, in v20 it says they HAD to talk about Jesus. Amos 3:8 says “The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

It makes me consider the hubris of not only the council, but of us. I posted this Spurgeon quote a few days ago on Twitter and Facebook:

“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.”

The spirit is alive in us. The Lion is inside, roaring to get out. But I think we keep it shackled more often than not. At least, I think I do. I can identify the times when I need to let the Lion loose but I often don’t because I fear what it will do to my reputation (will I look like a Bible thumper?) or a myriad of other things (read: excuses.)

It’s like I’m standing in a gap. On one side is the Lion, and on the other side are people who need to hear the word. The Lion wants out, and God says the spirit will give us the words. But I stand in the gap, arms outstretched to either side, holding the Lion at bay on one side, and keeping my distance from those who need to hear the Word on the other. It’s me who’s in the way of the Word being let loose.

I fear the thought of God saying, “why didn’t you let the Word loose?”