What Are We “Rehearsing?”
by: Donna Long
September 17, 2025
“Then the whole assembly remained silent, and they listened [attentively] as Barnabas and Paul rehearsed what signs and wonders God had performed through them among the Gentiles. When they had finished talking, James replied, Brethren, listen to me. Simeon [Peter] has rehearsed how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people [to bear and honor] His name.”
The word rehearsed jumped off the page at me! One of the reasons I believe the Lord highlighted this word to me is because He knew that I would understand the depth of its meaning since I graduated from college with a major in theatre and rehearsing is essential to our productions. And yet, I’ve never read a scripture before that used the word “rehearsed” in it until I read this one. To maybe help us get a clearer, deeper understanding of this word, I went to the dictionary for help.
Rehearse (verb)
1: to say again : repeat
2: to present an account of : relate
rehearse a familiar story
3: to recount in order : enumerate
rehearsed their demands
4 a: to give a rehearsal of
b: to train or make proficient by rehearsal
5: to repeat or recite
As you can see, rehearse is a verb, an action word, something “to do.” What the Lord showed me was the contrast between what Paul, Barnabas and Peter rehearsed and what I sometimes rehearse. Yikes! Paul and Barnabas rehearsed what signs and wonders God had performed through them among the Gentiles. Peter rehearsed how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people to bear and honor His name. You with me so far?
They rehearsed the goodness, greatness, and love of God. I’m sure they repeated these testimonies of God’s wonderworking love. We know they related these stories that have been shared over and over since Jesus walked this earth. And we know they rehearsed them so that the people, the children of that day, and today would remember them throughout eternity.
The Lord’s question to me was, “What are you rehearsing, Donna?” As I go through my day, what am I repeating to others, or to myself, over and over again. Am I repeating the great good things the Lord has done for me, or am I repeating the times one of my friends hurt my feelings, and made me angry. Am I relating to others how awesome it is to be in the Presence of the Lord, how He has answered my prayers? Or am I relating to others how awful it is to be with someone because that person gets on my nerves? Am I enumerating the many blessings I’ve received from the Lord, just that day, that week, or that year? Or am I enumerating the many issues I’m having with the insurance company and how unprofessional their customer service is? Am I blessing the Lord by reciting to others how the Lord is moving in my life and the earth with His power, forgiveness, mercy and love? Or am I reciting the many ways the enemy is messing up our nation, relationships, or finances, for me and/or others?
I know that may seem like a tedious, long list to make a point about what we “rehearse” each day. But as I’ve shared recently with a group of friends, our words matter! They matter to the Lord and they matter to the enemy. The Lord holds us accountable for our words and the enemy loves to use our words against us and others. This verse from Proverbs really sums it up.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]” (AMPC, Proverbs 18:21).
Jesus drives the point home, so much so that I am sharing two different translations to help get the fullness of His emphasis on this important aspect of the power of our words.
In Matthew 12:36-37 (NASB1995) Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and said, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
In Matthew 12:36-37 (AMPC) Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and said: 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
The Lord has been on me about my words for years, and has asked me frequently, “Donna, what are you rehearsing?” Are you rehearsing words that will bring life, light, hope to My kingdom on earth, and glory to Me? Or are you rehearsing words that bring death, darkness, hopelessness, and ultimately glory to the evil one?
Worship
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being careless with my words. Please forgive me, Lord for treating my words casually, rather than carefully. Please forgive me for the many times my words have hurt, discouraged people and glorified the enemy, rather than bringing light and life to Your Kingdom. Holy Spirit, please help me to press into You more and more that I might truly hear and then speak Your words from Your heart, bringing hope and love and life to all I come in contact with, as well as encouraging myself. Help me Lord to rehearse Your goodness and greatness throughout the rest of my days and forever. Amen.
Further Study
Psalm 19:14 (AMPC), Proverbs 6:2 (AMPC), James 3:2 (NLT), Ephesians 4:29 (TPT)
Related Posts
The word rehearsed jumped off the page at me! One of the reasons I believe the Lord highlighted this word to me is because He knew that I would understand the depth of its meaning since I graduated from college with a major in theatre and rehearsing is essential to our productions. And yet, I’ve never read a scripture before that used the word “rehearsed” in it until I read this one.