By Andrew Williams
The Living Gospel (Week 3: Crafting Your Testimony)
Opening Prayer
Lord, give us the courage to be vulnerable and the wisdom to know what to share, so that our honesty always points people to You.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
Proverbs 10:19
“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
In our desire to be authentic, it can be tempting to share every detail of our past mistakes or current struggles. While vulnerability is powerful, it must be balanced with wisdom. There is a difference between healthy vulnerability and unwise oversharing.
This proverb reminds us to be “sensible.” When crafting our testimony, our goal is not to shock or entertain people with graphic details of our past. Our goal is to share enough of our struggle to show the greatness of God’s grace, but not so much that the focus shifts from the Savior to the sin.
Wisdom in sharing means considering your audience (as we discussed Tuesday). It’s also about purpose. Before you share a sensitive detail, ask yourself: “What is the redemptive purpose of sharing this? Will it help this person see God’s grace more clearly, or will it just be a distraction?” True, godly vulnerability is not about emotional exhibitionism; it is purposeful honesty that makes Jesus the hero.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Review the difficult parts of your story. For each detail, ask the “purpose question”: “Does sharing this specific detail serve to glorify God and help the listener, or is it unnecessary?” This will help you share with both authenticity and wisdom.
Closing Prayer: Father God, grant me wisdom and discernment. Teach me the art of being vulnerable in a way that is purposeful, honoring to You, and helpful to those who hear my story. Amen.
