Have You Ever Been Afraid to Speak Jesus’ Name?

Lori Melton   -  

Have You Been Afraid to Speak Jesus’ Name?

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Sometimes, I have.

Like just the other day when I was having a lovely conversation with a young friend. She and I met about a year ago. Not only was it a delight hearing about her life, but we discovered that we shared a passion for writing!

Since then, we’ve both gotten our first book contracts with the same publisher and couldn’t wait to catch up. Being older and just a few steps ahead on the publishing journey, she was anxious to hear about my experience and I felt privileged to be somewhat of a mentor.

As we talked about how to find time to write, accomplish the daunting task of finishing a book, find the resources you need, and overcome the fear, there were moments where part of my experience were the practical aspects, and the other part were the spiritual ones.

The truth was that a significant piece of walking out every one of those aspects for me was turning to God in prayer, listening for His instructions through Scripture and His quiet whisper, and knowing that He was holding every part of my life.

As we talked, there were moments when I knew I was at a crossroads where I could either include the critical part that my relationship with God had played: how I had turned to Him with my fear, apprehension, and anything I lacked or leave that out.

I’m glad to say that I didn’t omit that part. I did share that very important piece to some degree. But I didn’t share the name of Jesus.

It’s acceptable in our culture for people to include “God” in their conversations. Not many people are ruffled by that. But what isn’t acceptable is to include the name of Jesus, even if you are sharing your personal experience.

Chatting with my young friend who isn’t a Christian, I knew there was a risk. My motives were partially good. I wanted to include the “God” piece, hoping that if I gently moved in the “God” direction, it would crack the door open, and our conversation could move further to include the “Jesus” piece.

I never want to bombard someone with Bible verses or theology without being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading of when and what to speak, and respectful of the other person’s theology and personal space.

The problem was, I wasn’t being honest. The “God” piece that had made a difference in my publishing experience, wasn’t just the vague “God” spirituality that is so prevalent in the world today but in the living relationship I have with God through Jesus.

By not including Jesus’ name I was omitting the very thing that would be most important in my young friend’s life, not just for publishing, but everything she longed for.

Thinking about Acts 4:12, how Peter and John proclaimed that there is salvation in no other name, I realized that the big lie of the current cultural mindset had subtly taken hold in my mind. I had begun speaking the language of the culture instead of the language of the gospel in my writing, relationships, and discipleship conversations.

My love for Jesus is strong and I would be quick to add a passionate “Amen!” when Romans 1:16 is read, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

And yet, the Holy Spirit revealed to me, that I had been ashamed when I withheld the truth that God had poured out in my life that “Jesus,” not just “God” is the answer.

And I wondered, why is it that so many times we’re afraid of the negative reaction we’ll get if we include the name of Jesus?  What if instead of being afraid, we remembered these instances like Peter and John speaking the name of Jesus and 5,000 men, and who knows how many women and children coming to Jesus, and cripples being healed. Not to mention all the testimonies of people in our lives that have been changed and set free because they heard Jesus’ name?  What if instead of focusing on the negative that could happen, we got excited about the miracles that could happen if we do?

If we don’t share the name of Jesus, others can’t receive salvation. And I don’t just mean the gift of heaven, in the sweet by and by, but all that God has for them in this life as well!

So, if the Spirit has been nudging you as you have read these words, and you realize that at times you’ve also been afraid to speak Jesus’ name, and you don’t want to be. As we enter the holiday season with all the festivities and people we’ll encounter maybe for the only time this year, join me in this prayer:

“Oh Lord, forgive me where I have adopted the ways of the culture instead of your Kingdom. Forgive me for the times I have held back speaking the name of Jesus. Send me opportunities, Lord, and then fill me with your Spirit and boldness to share. In Jesus’ name.” Amen.