Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
I cannot choose but adhere to the word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor will I even make any recantation, since it is neither safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience! Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God! Amen.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a commitment to one's beliefs and conscience despite external pressures.
In this powerful statement, Martin Luther emphasizes the importance of adhering to one's convictions and beliefs, particularly in the face of adversity or opposition. He asserts that his faith and conscience are paramount, which drives him to stand firm in his views without recantation, highlighting the moral obligation to remain true to oneself and one's principles, even when it may be unsafe or unpopular to do so.
Themes
BeliefConscienceCourageFaithIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing the importance of integrity, one might quote Luther to emphasize standing firm against societal pressures.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes →Now if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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