Confusing Testimony

Occasionally we have people share testimonies at church. Some can be very confusing, even hilariously confusing. An 80 year old lady who had blood pressure problems stood to announce, "I want to praise the Lord, I ain't got no blood pressure!"

Funny stuff aside, there are some stories in the Old Testament that are very confusing testimonies. In the life of King Saul we find several of those confusing stories. One is in 1 Samuel 19:23-24. God's Spirit moves Saul to prophecy so that David has time to escape from Saul. We don't know the exact nature of that prophesying, but it apparently overcame Saul so that he forgot about or neglected David for a brief period of time.

Saul is showing the signs of the anointing, but it is not due to his relationship with God, but it is due to David's need! Never base the quality of your relationship with God on outward ministry effectiveness. God may be using you because he loves those you minister to, not because you are acceptable. Judge yourself according to the Word of God and it only.

Here is the bottom line, at the end of your life what kind of testimony will you leave? A confusing testimony or a solid testimony. People ask at funerals, "Pastor, did you get to pray the sinners prayer with him/her?" Most of the time I can say yes I did. Many times I did pray with them, but they never devoted themselves to God and the life was never transformed in any way. Yes, I prayed with them. Were they saved? I don't know. There was no fruit to bear witness to the presence of God in their life.

Don't live out a confusing testimony! Do what God asks. Be fully devoted to him. Don't serve God half hearted. Leave no question in the minds of those who know the Word of God and know you best. Make your testimony a solid one. Make your epitaph honest and like David's: "A man after God's own heart."