Bible Reading: Matthew 26:63
From the time He was arrested until the time He died on the cross Jesus spoke only about 200 words. (The devotionals here at PH121 Today, Tomorrow, & Forever! usually
run between 200 and 250 words.) Not one word was spoken in anger. Not one word expressed hate. Not one word was intended to hurt another person.
Jesus thought before He spoke.
Jesus never wasted words.
Jesus refused to speak when He couldn’t say something useful or constructive. For example, after His arrest, Matthew 26:63 says, “But Jesus remained silent.”
Jesus only spoke when His words would encourage his listeners, enlighten His listeners, or engage them in a dialog that would lead them to God.
Jesus controlled his thoughts. He knew that in order to be certain that His words always honored God and built up others, He had to think only about things that honored God and built up others. He knew that whatever He thought about would eventually come out of His mouth.
Jesus knew what God expected of Him. He spent time studying the scriptures so He knew what kind of words God approved of and what kind of words would make God unhappy.
Based on what Jesus did, what can you do to be sure that the words that come out of your mouth are useful, constructive, encouraging, enlightening, and God-honoring?
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to use my words sparingly and wisely, just like Jesus did. In Jesus’ name. Amen.