Revelations 12:10-11
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
I remember the first time I shared my testimony with anyone.
It was a beautiful fall day of my first semester of college. A friend from Bible Study, Sarah, had asked me if I wanted to meet her for lunch and I had eagerly agreed! What an exciting prospect! Friends!
I walked across the way to the student center, where we met up and found a booth in the food court. She seemed to know everyone... Little freshman me wondered how!?!
Somehow, in the course of the conversation, I started telling her the story of what God had led me through that summer. About my battles and scars and hurts and fears. About love and grace and mercy. It all came out, calm and confident.
She didn't seem surprised by my words. She did, however, express her surprise that I so easily shared so many deeply personal things with her.
I left that day knowing things I did not before. I remember singing all the way to my next class, my heart so full of joy.
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1) The Sharing of Testimony is Multi-Purposeful
Before this day, I had always heard the word "testimony" in the context of an evangelistic setting. It was "supposed" to be the story of how you became a Christian. That day, I learned that was not entirely accurate. Yes, that is one testimony, but a testimony is far wider reaching than that. A testimony is simply a statement of how God has worked in an area of your life. It is an acknowledgement of the power, grace, and love of our God. It can be used for the purpose of evangelism, yes, but also to uplift and encourage the fellow believer.
2) The Sharing of Testimony Builds Bonds
Once a testimony is shared, there must be a reaction. Although there are instances of hurt in their moment of vulnerability, there are many more of love and grace. In many cases, the spoken testimony offers a glance into the mess of our lives that may not be apparent on the surface. The listener has the opportunity to show love, grace, and mercy. There is a new level of trust. A higher level of "security clearance" if you will. It brings the body of Christ closer together - working together for the glory of God.
3) The Sharing of Testimony Defeats Strongholds
I remember that, in the moment of telling Sarah my story, I was not healed. I was still in the process. I was raw and bruised and falling apart. Yet I spoke of what God had done. I spoke of his power. In that moment, I found healing. I found victory. I found triumph. I found freedom. I found what Revelations 12 says - that we conquer the evil one by, first, the blood of the Lamb through our acceptance of his marvelous gift, and second, through proclaiming what He has done in our lives.
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Further Reading:
1 John 5:10-11
Mark 5:19
Psalm 66:16
Hebrews 10:24-25
Matthew 5:14-16
