The Danger Of Hesitation
Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” — Acts 10:17-20
I love how Luke, the author, describes Peter here. "Inwardly perplexed" and "pondering." But then the Spirit interrupted him and said, "Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation."
You know, I have come to learn in my spiritual life that when "God speaks" or I feel a "nudge of the Spirit," it's better for me to respond without hesitation. Primarily because my spiritual hesitations result in self-rationalizations that support my preferred outcomes rather than supernatural results. Yes, we can take some time to discern if what we heard was an authentic nudge of the Spirit. But in the end, the only way we are ever going to know is by taking some form of holy action. And the longer we wait in inaction, the more we give way to self-justification, procrastination, indifference, and apathy. And when apathy takes hold, the hesitation between the nudge and action becomes not inaction, but disobedience.
So today, when prompted by the Spirit, spend less time being perplexed and pondering — take holy action. And in the holy act, discover the true meaning of daily keeping in step with the Spirit.
ASK THIS: Name your hesitation and then share this below. Why are you hesitating?
DO THIS: Act more quickly today.
PRAY THIS: God, help me to listen more carefully and act more promptly.
PLAY THIS: Obey — Soul Survivor.
SIGN UP — THE DAILY DEVO
short + biblical + practical
Read through the Bible daily with Vince Miller.
my hesitation is inexperience, which leads to lack of confidence, and eventually lack of action.
Live in the adventure of inexperience! ⚡️⚡️
Good stuff as always Vince!
My wife and I have never really agreed on the type of churches we like. I’m more traditional in my worship and she’s more contemporary. We moved to a new state 5 years ago and tried a few churches but nothing we could agree on, so then we just stopped trying. Every week I would think, “let’s go try a church,” but would never voice it to her. Finally, last Saturday I stopped hesitating and just asked her if she wanted to go to church on Sunday. And she said yes! Did we love the church, nah – but we went and are going to try a new one this weekend.
Thank you Vince. I appreciate your daily devotionals. Keep them coming.
My hesitation usually takes the form of not speaking into a persons life about what Jesus has done for me. And yes Vince, you are right, I find myself rationalizing more why I shouldn’t then just taking action in obedience. Praying that I will convert my head knowledge into heart action
I hesitate on everything, second guess if it is Holy Spirit or selfish ulterior motives, take some time to make sure I “have a plan”. In the process miss SO MANY opportunities. On occasion when I do not hesitate….seems to end in more productive results and less regret and disappointment. Lord grant me boldness and confidence in your will for my life.
Awesome message Vince. Really hit home as I seek to grow within the church body.
Thank you
Doug Woodward
GWH, your opinion is important. Thanks for sharing.
Please share a hesitation and why are you hesitating.
For me, it’s the little things as I’m walking by. Do I stop and help someone who might not actually need my help? Do I use words of affirmation or simply not say anything? Do I intervene when I hear or see something clearly inappropriate? I’ve circled back multiple times to do the “right” thing, whereas if I didn’t hesitate so much, I’d do it the first time and ultimately stop wasting my own time thinking about it.
I hesitate on jumping in and preparing a sermon to its end
When the Spirit nudges me to humble myself to apologize and/or to initiate a conversation with a stranger or someone I haven’t talked to for a long time. I hesitate because I justify my natural immediate response to a situation that I should have been patient, listened and been sensitive to the needs of others.
Supernatural results, in my mind this is not an accurate depiction that should be used.
How do I know if I’m being promoted by the spirit vs. my flesh, or my own desires, or the selfish desires of others?
Great timing for me Vince! I’ve found myself pondering on some things as of late. I think my pondering has led to drifting. If we’re truly walking with the Lord, there shouldn’t be hesitation from the nudges!
Nice!
Afraid of saying the wrong thing, not knowing what to say, or what others will think.
Thanks Vince for what you do! I look forward to your daily message but I need to follow through more often.
Sharing my faith with some of my family and friends, i need to stop just waiting on the right time and just share my story.
Thanks Vince. Great insight.
Thank you Vince, here every morning.
Love your daily devos!! Thanks for what you do!
Amen Vince – our Lord nudges us toward His divine appointments for us.
Good vid Vince😎
Thank you Vince, we are listening!
Lord Forever me for my hesitation and apathy witch is disobedients . Help to listen more carefully and act more promptly to you