Who is Your SPOKESMAN?

I’m sure that you’ve all noticed, that when a municipality holds a public news conference after a big news worthy event… sadly… many times after some tragic incident… the leader of the gathering will step up to the microphone and have a line of individuals who are SPOKESMEN for other departments or organizations or individuals that have a stake in the situation, standing solemnly behind them.

The Oxford Online Dictionaries defines a SPOKESMAN as “a person who makes statements on behalf of a group or individual.”  Dictionary.com describes them as “a public speaker.”

In my Bible study times this week, I discovered the Apostle Paul talking about a very important SPOKESMAN that each of us should employ in the course of our daily lives.  As I was reading and studying various Scriptures, I began to take note of how many times Paul and the other writers of the New Testament talk about JOY in reference to the believer’s walk of faith. 

I’ve always taken it for granted that JOY was an important benefit of the Christian life… but the deeper I looked in to it… the more I began to see that it is not just a benefit… but also both an offensive and defensive weapon for us to strategically use as we face the pressures that arise in our daily existence.

With the thought of JOY as a weapon, the immediate scripture that came to mind is from the book of James where the pastor of the Jerusalem Church speaks of the use of JOY as something that to be honest… doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense nor is easy to follow!  I would imagine that the members of his church and the readers of his letter across the known world at the time, responded with a raised eyebrow as he taught…

“My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2 – KJV)

This familiar scripture is one that many of us tend to bypass as we read our Bibles… especially when we are in the thick of a difficult situation in our lives.  I mean, how can one be JOYFUL when everything looks to be falling down around you?  And even if you attempt to be JOYFUL in the hard times… people are going to think that you aren’t taking things seriously or are just plan naïve! (or in my case a few times… called stupid!)

JOY in the difficult places in life just isn’t a normal response,,, right?  Well… I’m pretty sure that Pastor James would emphatically say “WRONG!” in response to that question.  The Passion Translation of James 1:2 opens up James’ thoughts a little more distinctly by saying,

“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY that you can!” 

A key word to understand in this verse is “COUNT” in the King James and translated “SEE” in the Passion Translation.  In the original Greek, these words connotate the idea of “to lead or command with official authority.  To lead with respects to influence; to control in counsel and/or to be a SPOKESMAN.”

So, if I’m getting this right, James is instructing us to understand and employ Godly, word-based, faith-filled JOY as a powerful force to be reckoned with in our daily lives!  He and the Apostle Paul, who taught by precept and personal example, explained that the official role and responsibility of JOY in a Christian’s life is to lead, command, preside over and be the SPOKESMAN in not only the good times of life, after the battles has been won… but also… and maybe most importantly…within the very midst of the most difficult and rough situations that we face throughout our lives.

And yes… Being full of JOY in the midst of difficult times is not the way of the world.  The world expects one to feel fearful, anxious, confused, helpless and even angry when things go wrong.  But remember that our Christian handbook, the Bible, tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that,

“The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons, but are mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses.” (Weymouth) 

And what we need in troubled times is a weapon that is mighty for God to use for us when overthrowing our strong problems!  And that is exactly what happens when, despite what is negatively happening around us, we can have an attitude of JOY – BECAUSE – we have more faith in the power of God and in what His Word is specifically telling us about the outcome of the situation we are dealing with.

James encourages us in James 1:2 to let our attitude of faith-filled JOY be the SPOKESMAN in the midst of the hard times.  To let JOY be the SPOKESMAN that directs the conversation concerning yours and my situations in life.  To let JOY be the SPOKESMAN who is leading you with the information he has concerning God’s kingdom abilities working for you!

You know… a good SPOKESMAN stays up-to-date and current with the information about those he represents… and likewise, a good SPOKESMAN of JOY stays in touch and receives regular updates (through you) from the Word of God.  This way… when any questions arise concerning the needs and/or success of God’s way in your life… the SPOKESMAN of JOY always has the right answer!

When I study the Word of God, I can see pretty clearly that,

JOY is God’s ANTIDOTE for trouble!

And according to the dictionary, the definition of an ANTIDOTE is something (ie; a medicine) that prevents or counteracts particular poisons or injurious or unwanted effects… poisons like fear, doubt, unbelief, depression, anger, sickness, financial need, a lack of wisdom and any other unwanted, injurious problem that you and I might face in life!

So… when you step up to the podium to make a report on the news of your life… which SPOKESMAN are you going to call upon to share the right, victorious and peace-giving report for your situation?  The choice is up to you… but if it were me… I would choose to,

“see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY that you can!”

Have a terrific weekend and as you do… Choose the SPOKESMAN of JOY to be the authoritative voice in your life… whenever you face trying times... (and for every other time as well!)