The Testimony You Live By

By Charles F. Stanley
from www.intouch.org all rights reserved

“He then answered, ‘Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see’” (John 9:25).

John 9 tells a delightful story of a young blind man’s encounter with Jesus. The Savior spat on the ground, made clay, and put it on the man’s eyes. The sightless man washed in a pool and “came back seeing” (John 9:6-7). From that point on, the young man had an incredible testimony he shared with those around him. Even though the religious leaders interrogated him, he refused to recant his testimony.

“I was blind. Now I see,” he told them.

The young man had incredible courage to defy the learned leaders—even though he knew so little about Jesus. He stood firm. Something undeniable had happened to him, and he shared his personal testimony. Simple. Straightforward. Bold.

How often do we simply tell that we were once blind to the truth of Christ and now we see? That’s really what people want to know. They aren’t asking deep theological questions. They just want to know what happened in our lives that make us different.

Your Testimony

Our personal testimony is unique, and what we do with our story is a responsibility that we must never take lightly. God has entrusted each of us with an opportunity to affect people who watch us daily. Sometimes we don’t know the influence we have, but people watch us—waiting to see if our words match our actions.

You’ve probably been influenced by someone whose testimony spoke clearly to your heart about your need for the Savior. In the same way, you may impact others—even when you have no idea they are observing you. However, three essentials must be operative before you can expect anyone to check out your faith.

* 1. First, your character needs to be solid. What you are on the inside is much more important than what you look like on the outside.

2. Next, your conduct, or what you do, should align with the Lord’s commands. Unbelievers are watching, so make sure that you are staying in the center of God’s will and maintaining a godly walk.
* 3. Third, your conversation is an indication of your true character. Before you can expect anyone to be curious about your life, you need to consider what your words reveal about you (Matt. 12:34).

Your personal testimony is a powerful tool. It is the expression of what God has done and is doing in your life. Some may say, “You don’t understand. My personal testimony isn’t dramatic at all. I was saved as a young child. I was never took drugs. I grew up in the church. That’s about it.” Don’t underestimate how powerful that is to someone who is lost! If you were saved at a very young age, there was still a time you passed from death into life—and the world needs to know how to do that.

It doesn’t matter whether your testimony is simple or dramatic. If Jesus is the center of your life, He can use you to draw others to Himself (John 12:32). Ask God to shine through you in a manner that makes them curious about the difference they notice in you (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:15). Whether or not they admit it, most people want to hear about what God has done in your life. If your character, conduct, and conversation are in line, an encounter with you could change their life.

Adapted from “Handbook for Christian Living” (2007).