Exactly What To Say

Judges 4-6, Luke 21

To be a successful salesperson, you have to master four things.  The fist is how to generate leads.  Then, you have to follow-up with those leads.  Your follow up allows you to negotiate, which is the third role of a salesperson.  The fourth one might be the most important.  It’s script and role play.  That’s right, knowing exactly what to say and how to say it matters. If you don’t believe me, check out this book by Phil M Jones.  His entire goal is to script salespeople so that that can sell more.  He even titles it “Exactly What To Say.”  It works.  Practicing scripts is a proven way to increase your sales results.

Now, I am perplexed.  All of my training says to prepare, but in Luke 21, Jesus is tells us not to prepare.  He says, “Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer.” Luke 21:14 (ESV).  My initial reaction to that advice is incredulous.  How could it possibly be better to be unprepared?

I don’t get to ruminate on that for long.  In verse 15, Jesus provides some additional explanation.   Rather than your great script, he says “I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”  That’s interesting.  Why would I want to be unmeditated and unrehearsed?

It establishes my trust in him

It creates my dependence upon him

It promotes a response from my  Spirit filled heart

It gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to show his power

It ensures that He gets all the glory