Living in the Garden of Grace: Spirit-Directed Witnessing
Reflections on David Kuykendall’s Living in the Garden of Grace
The Power of Spirit-Led Witnessing
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me …” (Acts 1:8).
Spirit-directed witnessing is not merely a matter of words but a divinely orchestrated act of obedience. It involves being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who directs us to the right person, at the right time, with the right message.
David Kuykendall shares a compelling illustration of this principle through the story of Thomas, a believer who demonstrated Spirit-led sensitivity in his witness to Lloyd, a non-Christian acquaintance.
Following the Spirit’s Lead
While accompanying Lloyd to a business appointment, Thomas encountered an opportunity to share the gospel with someone he sensed God was prompting him to approach. Despite his previous intentions to witness to Lloyd directly, Thomas trusted the Spirit’s leading and shared with a customer instead.
The result was extraordinary. The customer admitted he was ready to receive Christ, and Thomas handed him a gospel tract to guide him toward salvation. Remarkably, Thomas also discerned that the Spirit was not leading him to witness to others in the room, nor to press the man into a decision on the spot.
This account demonstrates the beauty of Spirit-directed witnessing. It is not about pursuing our own agenda but about walking in obedience to the Lord’s.
The Words of God in the Spirit’s Timing
Jesus Himself modeled perfect sensitivity to the Spirit in His earthly ministry:
“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure” (John 3:34).
As believers filled with the Spirit, we too are equipped to speak God’s words to the right person at the right moment. This is not achieved through human effort but through yielding to the Spirit’s guidance.
Spirit-directed witnessing ensures that our words are not our own, but His. It removes the pressure of orchestrating results and replaces it with the peace of walking in step with the Spirit.
Keys to Spirit-Directed Witnessing
Cultivate Sensitivity to the Spirit
Walking in step with the Spirit requires a heart attuned to His prompting. Regular communion with God through prayer and the Word sharpens our spiritual discernment.Trust God’s Timing
Like Thomas, we must be willing to follow the Spirit’s lead, even if it doesn’t align with our own plans. The Spirit may direct us to one person in a crowded room or prompt us to wait for another moment.Rely on the Spirit’s Words
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give us the words to speak when we need them (Luke 12:12). Trusting Him relieves us from the burden of crafting the perfect message.Release the Outcome
The results of our witness are not ours to control. Our role is obedience; the Spirit’s role is to convict and transform hearts.
Prayer
“Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who guides and empowers us in every aspect of life, including witnessing. I long to be sensitive to Your leading, willing to share Your words with those You place in my path. May I walk in obedience to Your Spirit, trusting You with the results. Use me as Your vessel to reach those who need Your love and truth today. Amen.”
A Final Thought
Spirit-directed witnessing is not about methods or strategies; it’s about surrendering to the Lord’s guidance. As we yield to the Spirit’s leading, we can trust that God will use us to speak His words to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way.
In this divine partnership, the pressure is removed, and the joy of obedience takes its place. Let us live in step with the Spirit, ready to share His love and truth whenever He prompts us.