There are three easy steps to writing a genuine life-changing testimony. However, first let’s address some basic points about what a testimony is all about. One of the most important things to understand about your testimony is that it was never meant to be a private celebration. Too often the moment we get a breakthrough we may take a moment to breathe and hopefully thank God with relief and then proceed to bask in the fruits of its blessing. We may immediately tell a few close friends or family or we may get on Facebook and tell the world. Then after we are celebrated we go about our way.
What seems to be sorely missed about this powerful spiritual tool is that our testimony is a divinely orchestrated “story” which means it is something with a divine purpose that must be imparted. If you thought your testimony was all about YOU well, you’ve missed the most important point!
Rev. 12:11 says “they were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” This passage reveals that our testimony has divine power and God uses our testimony not just to encourage us but more importantly to encourage those who are still struggling in the faith in a similar experience. Our testimonies are given to us as a gift from God. Too often we use our testimony as a bragging platform because we want others to know how God has blessed our lives. Let’s face it, it’s hard to resist. When you’re excited about what God has done in your life you want to tell somebody. Well, the danger in thinking that the only value of a testimony is to tell it is that we rob God of His supernatural work of redeeming LIFE. What is even more unfortunate is that sometimes, we do this intentionally and it is shamefully clear to see. When we share a boastful testimony, we may be ignorantly planting seeds of discouragement, doubt, envy, and jealousy. This is not what the word of God illustrates. Instead, our testimonies should be imparting seeds life, hope, and faith.
Proverbs 27:1-2 suggest we should not brag and to allow others to speak highly about us. Matt. 6:5-6 suggest that prayer is done in secret and is rewarded publicly. You see, the outcome of our prayers is always a TESTIMONY! So take note, when you are given the opportunity to testify publically and your heart desires applaud and attention from men, then God says that is ALL you will accomplish! Bear in mind, pride is not something you can dress up by tossing around a few religious words. Luke 12:2-3 suggest nothing is hidden from God and what is done in darkness will be made known and trust me…bragging is obvious!
Because our testimonies are divinely empowered and used by God, we should also realize that God, therefore, has a personal interest in our message and we are commissioned to tell it in a way that gives LIFE. No doubt your testimony is a personal blessing from God but it is also important to realize that once you have been blessed with a testimony your story is now ordered by God to help others continue to believe what God will do in their life as well and he will impart this supernaturally.
So the next time you share your testimony give careful thought to the true intentions of your heart. Realize, you are literally planting seeds of life and death in a person’s life so much more than you know. That’s why today I’d like to share with you 3 practical and easy steps for you to learn how to write or tell a genuine Spirit-filled testimony.
- A testimony is written as a narrative. It is, in essence, a biography of a specific experience. It is a “factual” account of events. It is descriptive for the sake of visualization and any inward impressions are only included if it played a factual part of the experience (like in a dream). Don’t add your thoughts or interpretations if it is not a part of the story. Keep it concise, raw and genuine.
- A testimony is also a message of learning and discovery of what you have personally learned through God’s truth and power.
- A testimony is also message where you now become the teacher after being a student of the Holy Spirit. You now tell the moral of the story, a revelation that ALL must learn from.
When you write or tell a testimony you must write it initially as a narrative. After you testify of the goodness of God you begin to address what you’ve learned from the experience and you might also speak about key learning points that a more general or larger audience (Body of Christ) could glean from your experience.
So who needs to hear your story? Who needs to be filled with new LIFE and HOPE from your testimony? The next time you prepare to testify, write it/tell it with a heart accountable to divine purpose. Let God TRULY get the glory and become the redeeming voice of faith, hope, and love in the lives of those you are sharing with.
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 