They say unto the blind man again, what sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, he is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, we know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, he is of age; ask him. Then again called them the man that was blind, and said unto him, give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. That was the testimony of the blind man after his encountered with Christ, one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9: 17-25.
The testimony of God is sure and holiness become his house. Psalms 95:3.
We all had our past, but those who had no past has not been saved: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If you had not done with your past, then you don’ t have a good testimony which leads to eternal life – you are still in your sin, you are of your father the devil, for he sins from the beginning. The greatest testimony should be that you once had your sinful past, were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:25), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:3-4.
This is the testimony of your salvation – the greatest testimony which should never be forgoten on the day of your new birth, the greatest thing that will ever happened to you in this life before you die to meet God, which you should never be ashamed to share with anyone who will listen to know of what the Lord has done for you, because you have not saved yourself – and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Timothy 1:12-16.
This is not the kind of testimony you give and be laughing as if your sinful and ungodly past life is something to be proud of, but the testimony that brings water out of your eyes, when you realized how far you’ve gone astrayed before the mercies of God found you, being ashamed of yourself and of the things done in ignorance, but are now rejoicing that your name has been written in the Lamb’s book of life – for when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephessians 6:20-23.
A genuine believer in Christ Jesus is a living testimony of the power of the cross, the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ, saved and set freed from sin. He is the testimony of the offering of the soul of Christ – of the goodness of God which led the sinner who is on hisw ay to hell to repentancein Christ Jesus, now saved, washed, forgiven, justified and made ready to be the bride of Christ, called to be saint. This is the testimony of the priceless gift of salvation of God to the man who were once dead in sins and trespasses, but is now in Christ Jesus, being a new creature, and old things are passed away, behold all are new – Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
No matter what you are going through, weeping may endure till the night, but joy will come in the morning. God is always good, all things will always work out that the end for your good, notwithstanding your precarious situation, if you love God enought to submit to his providence – what he allows. Learn to think good things about God and to speak good things of him always – behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought. Job 8:20-22.
To give testimony of what God has done for you, should be a decison you are being led by the spirit of God to talk of the goodness or wonders of God before others, if it might help anyone to love, fear, obey and trust God as King Nebuchadnezer testified after his chastening and restoration by God – And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Daniel 4:34-37: (b) God answers prayers, to encourage others who have been praying for a long period of time not to be discouraged, but to be patiently waiting on God until he takes away their shame and reproach like God removed Hanah’s shame and reproach when she was given the son she prayed for after many years of barreness – And this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. In other words she declared to the prophet that the child was her attestation or testimony to God’s goodness that he answers prayer. 1 Samuel 1:27.
God want to give us testimonies. He has not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not to the seed of Jacob, seek you me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare I declare things that are right. Isaiah 45:19. God want our homes and lives to be a place of constant testimonies of his power and victory – the voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Psalms 118:15-17. Note: whether we have present deliverance from the troubles of life or not (when the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. Psalms 126:1-3), to have the full testimony of deliverance from the present trials or not, we should take care and atttention to we walk to keep alive the joy of our salvation with constant gratitude everyday before God, which is far better than any of the earthly testimonies of material and finacial gains and blessings, lest the deferred expectation and cares of the lesser and earthly blessings should derail us from the will of God to mar the greatest blessing and testimony we have in Christ which is the gift of eternal life – and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:Hebrews 11:35-39.
Woe unto them that go down to Egypt for help, afterward go back to Zion, the city of the great King to give testimony before his children as if it is God who has done it as of he will share his glory with idols. 2 Kings 1:1-4.
Woe unto them that seek after them that have familiar spirit to be defiled by them, but afterward come to the assemblies of saints to give thanks to God as if he will share his glory with demons. 1 Chronicles 10:13.
Woe unto the pastors that hires and pays people to bring up stories of false miracles, healings and deliverances to deceive others by bringing false narration of events to manipulate the worshippers in the house of God in order to extort them and lying against the name of the Lord. Woe unto them that uses black magic and the power of Balzebub, the prince of demons to cast out demons in the church, they prophesy by serpentine spirit, marine spirit, and demonic third eye, as if they are receiving word of knowledge and prophetic revelations from the Holy Spirit of God – Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: that say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22. Lest you wrought falsehood against your soul, let there be no iniqiuty in your testimony by exxaggeration of what has happened – do not add up things which are not (2 Samuel 18:13): rather, let it be the exact declaration of what the Lord has done for your soul, when you cried unto him in your troubles, and he was extolled with your tongue – come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. Psalms 66: 16-20.
Testimony is an act of thanksgiving which does not requires any money to be given to the church if you don’t have it, just go out there before others to speak of what the Lord has done for you. It is the act of ungratefulness to the goodness of God if we are ashamed to testify to his goodness and power of deliveracce toward us. Sometimes, the expression of our gratitude brings the completion of divine works of deliverance in us – speak up. Luke17:11–18.
The devil don’t want you to speak about your freedom from the chains and addictions you were under because he want you to believe that you cannot be set free or come out of them. The word of their testimony by which Satan was overcame in heaven during the was that followed his rebellion can be divided into two ways. Revelation 12:11: (a) the declaration of the written Testament word of God to fight the enemy by what is written – I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14: (b) the testimony of God’s goodness, the declaration of faith that set us free – Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalms 107:21-22.
The Maniac of Gadara wanted to go with the Lord whereever the Lord will be, but he was charged by Christ to go back home and publish to his friends and family members of his salvation and healing from the spirit of madness received from Christ, probably, his testimony can be of help to others, and if possible, to bring them to salvation in Christ Jesus. Luke 8: 38 – 39.
We should ask God to give us testimonies – to show his power in our situations and others for testimonies to be given in our life, church, family, community, city, nation etc. Shall his wonders be shown to the dead and shall the dead arise to praise him? Shall his loving-kindness be declared in the grave and his faithfulness be spoken about in destruction? Shall his wonders be known in the dark, and his righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? Psalms 88:10-12.
When you are going through the days of adversity, remind yourself of God’s past goodness and works in the days of prosperity, and speak of his goodness to yourself, testfiying to yourself how he’s been so good to you- bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103: 1-4.
Remind God of the his past wondrous work, not to challenge him, for none can induce him on whatever, but to express your faith before him who is still the same, yesterday, today and forevermore – that, if he has done it in the past according to the testimony of his word, he is able to perform the same feat now and over and over again as the unchangeable God – We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. Psalms 44:1-5.
If you want to get your faith to the extreme level because you are desperate for a testimony of God, activate your faith with a vow or seed faith of you’re led by the spirit of God. Hanah did both to have Samuel. She made a vow and she offered her unborn son in advanced as a seed of faith for the widow to bear seven children afterward. 1 Samuel 2:5.
Hannah took her faith and prayer to another level with God to make a vow to offer Samuel to God as his servant all the days of his life. There is nobody from bible who previously made vow without obtaining their requested desire and blessing from God – offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify me – you’ll have testimony. 2 Samuel 2:5. Psalms 50: 14-15.
A vow will stir up God as if you awake a man out of his sleep – when thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? Ecclesiastes 5: 4-6. Vow is a mysteriou powerful weapon to trigger and provoke the hand and power of God to be seen and activated in a dire situation, but we should be careful and never be rash in word and hasty to enter into covenant of vow with God, lest we incur evil onto ourselves when we failed to pay the vow after the promise or blessing is given. Think before you provoke a testimony through a vow – And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back. And she said unto him, my father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, that the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. Judges 11: 34-37.
Part 2: Two kinds of Testimonies – the Testaments of believer’s conduct