When one examines the word "testimony", there are several different meanings. Some meanings may be religious in nature or perhaps judicial, but the word itself is harmless until you think about it. When I hear this word, I think of someone giving his testimony, but who gets the testimony? What is supposed to be the end result of a testimony? Is it merely a vehicle to express one's feelings or can it actually mean something to those who hear it? When does a testimony stop being a show-off kind of thing and start being inspirational? These questions are probably best answered by the person giving the testimony.
There are several kinds of testimonies, in a religious setting. Some people use Bibles or quote scripture for their testimony. This approach is good, as long as the Bible is used properly and not as a crutch. Other people use the sincere approach in their delivery, which is pleasing to the ear but may be somewhat of a front for which they really feel. Still others use the shock approach, where they tell their life story, using the juicy stuff. Many times, the shocker is also the testimony designed to obtain sympathy from the audience for the speaker. Whatever kind of testimony is used, there should be one key element involved in all testimonies--truthfulness.
Some people have said that they do not have a testimony. They say this because they are used to the shocker approach, and they don't think they can live up to the kind of life that might be more exciting than theirs. This philosophy just isn't true, since everyone has a testimony if they opened their eyes and taken a breath.
In conclusion, a testimony can be very effective if used properly. As long as you are true to yourself, you will be true and receptive to the needs of others. That's what a testimony is all about.
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