a guarded conversation
"Keep watch over yourselves, and over the whole flock the Holy Spirit has given you to guard." —Acts 20:28
The Holy Spirit assigns Christian leaders to guard His people against "savage wolves," that is, against Christians who distort the truth and lead astray "any who follow them" (Acts 20:29, 30). When He walked the earth, Jesus guarded His followers (Jn 17:12). Then, before His Ascension from this earth to heaven, Jesus asked His Father to protect us (Jn 17:11) and guard us from the evil one (Jn 17:15). The Father answered Jesus' prayer by giving us the Holy Spirit, Who assigned Christian leaders to guard us.
Christian leaders are guarding us from false apostles, false teachers, and false prophets better than they did in some past eras, such as during the times of Arianism or the Protestant break with the Church. However, Christian leaders need to do even better in their assignment from the Holy Spirit to guard the Church from error. Millions of Christians have been led astray, confused, or rendered ineffective in their Christian lives because they believe false teachings or don't know the true teachings of the Church.
This Pentecost, we as the Church are in even greater need of our leaders receiving the Spirit of truth. We need to guard and be guarded much better. For God's sake, marriage's sake, family's sake, babies' sake, truth's sake, cry out for our leaders to receive the Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit, Who has assigned them to guard us, will give them the wisdom, love, and power to do a better job.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to those guarding me.
Promise: "Be on guard, therefore. Do not forget that for three years, night and day, I never ceased warning you individually even to the point of tears. I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of His which can enlarge you, and give you a share among all who are consecrated to Him." —Acts 20:31-32
Praise: Many members of Manuel's extended family attended a Life in the Spirit seminar in Costa Rica. They praised Jesus with joy as He worked through signs and wonders in their midst.
Reference: (For more teaching, order our leaflet, How to Fight False Teachings.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000