I was reading one of the lessons in the Purpose Driven Life last week. Rick Warren said that we are called to be witnesses to the world. We are to testify to the truth that we know.

I started to think about what it means to be a witness or to testify in court. It is pretty simple. A witness is called to testify to the facts as they understand them. As long as they tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, they are in good shape. The only way they can be in trouble is to lie or refuse to testify.

The witness may be cross-examined but all they are required to do is to answer to what they know. If they don’t know something, they simply say, “I don’t know”. Not knowing the answer is not wrong. But they must tell the truth.

Also, It is not the witness’s job to convince the judge or jury. It is not the responsibility of the witness to be an expert in everything that is discussed at the trial. They are just an expert in their truth and knowledge.

The witnesses also have help. They have been prepared to testify by counsel. They have a legal advocate. When they testify, the attorneys and legal advocates make sure that the testimony is given in an appropriate and timely way. They lead and guide so the witness gives the information that is most fitting to the case at hand.

As I pondered this, I thought about our Paraclete or Advocate, the Holy Spirit. He is called to our side as our intercessor, our counsel. He is our helper. He supports us as we witness and testify to the truth.

So with this knowledge, my responsibility is clear: Witness to the truth knowing the Spirit guides me; Let the Spirit persuade and argue God’s case; Let God be the Judge.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8, ESV)