“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” [Revelation 12:10]
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” [Revelation 12:11]
My dear brethren, let us not give the accuser power over our lives. God has given us power through His son to overcome the accuser with our testimonies. Our adversary is crafty. He has been at his work a lot longer than we have been saved. He uses our own insecurities, our negative confessions about ourselves, and our pride (that prevents us from sharing our painful or embarrassing experiences with one another) against us. We love ourselves to the death by not sharing the testimonies of God’s goodness with others.
Our enemy would like us to believe that we are condemned, unworthy, unchanged, and unrighteous; so he keeps bringing up our past to accuse us. He uses the negative words that come out of our mouth and the negative opinions of others to keep us in bondage. He doesn’t want us to believe that God’s word is true. Therefore, in order to defeat him, we must stand on the promises of God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:9]
Truly, I tell you that our testimonies have the spirit of prophesy in them. When we share what God has done in our lives, we are prophesying. We are living proof (evidence) of God’s power and the assurance of His promises. “….the Testimony of Jesus (Christ) is the spirit of prophecy!” [Revelation 19:10]
As Christians, we do not believe in luck, fortune, coincidence and wishes. Our hope is in Christ [Hebrews 3:6], our blessings come from God [Genesis 49:25], our steps are ordered by the Lord [Psalm 37:23], and we know our prayers are effective [James 5:16]. “Therefore, this is the testimony: that God has given us; eternal life and this life is in His son.” [1 John 5:11].
So, how do we make sure that our testimony is the testimony of Christ? We give God ALL the glory. Remembering that It’s not what we’ve been through. It’s how God brought us through.
What is an effective testimony?
The nature of a testimony is personal, but the power of the testimony is not in the details of the sin. The power is in the testimony of Jesus. When the Apostle Paul gave his testimony, he testified to the glory of Jesus Christ, and people received salvation. His testimonies were effective because he had a goal – to bring people to Christ. Likewise, our testimony should have the same goal. The purpose for our goal is found in Matthew 28:18-20 [The Great Commission]. This is the mission of every believer and disciple of Christ.
The Deliverance Testimony:
The “Deliverance Testimony” is a weapon of spiritual warfare that should evoke a response that brings about confession, repentance, deliverance, healing, conviction and draws men and women into a closer relationship with Christ. This kind of testimony has the power to overcome the tactics of the adversary.
The focus of “The Deliverance Testimony” should always be on God. Focus on all the things God did for you when you were going through challenging times, not the things you did to yourself. Don’t revel in how bad you were. Tell the people about how God spared your life and protected you even when you were going through whatever you were going through. Praise God for his faithfulness, His mercy and His unfailing love. “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.” [Isaiah 46:9]
Encourage your listener(s) by reminding them that once God forgives, it is finished. “None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live.” [Ezekiel 33:16] “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” [John 8:36]
Talk about how God finally brought you to repentance. This is usually the most dramatic part of your testimony. Use examples from the Bible like David when he had to confess being an adulterer. [2 Samuel 12:1-24]. Emphasize how important it is to confess your sin to God or surrender your problems to Him, so that he can purify your heart, and heal you. Assure your listener(s) that God wants to help them “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:14].
Connect your personal testimony of deliverance with the Testimony of Jesus Christ:
Use this opportunity to lead people to Christ or to recommit their lives by repenting and turning back to God. Talk about how stubborn you were, how you resisted God or refused to admit that you were living in sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” [1 John 1:8]
Assure your listener(s) that God is forgiving. Talk about how he forgave you, and you were delivered (set free from sin). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:8-9]. Tell them about how you repented (turned away) from your sin, and how your life has changed since the Holy Spirit resides in you. Declare that He will do the same for them if they invite Jesus into their heart. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]”
The Good News Testimony:
The “Good News Testimony” encourages, gives hope, and stands on the promises of God. This testimony proclaims the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ by sharing how God has blessed you or someone you know with supernatural intervention like healing, bailing you out of financial difficulties, answering your prayers, or handling a difficult person or situation. These testimonies give hope, encouragement, and prophesy about change that will take place in a believers life when they have faith in Jesus. These are the testimonies of praise, worship and thanksgiving.
Find scriptures that testify to God’s faithfulness and fill your testimony with these scriptures to remind the listeners about God’s promises to them as believers. There are many such scriptures throughout the Bible, but the book of Psalms is widely credited with having the most encouraging scriptures. Search your Bible for encouraging scriptures and commit them to memory. The Word of God is the Bread of Life. If we love Jesus, we will feed His sheep.
Make your testimony a testament to Christ!
© 2009 Arletia McInnis, The Prophetic Scribe
