WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JULY 29, 2024
TOPIC: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY (2)
BY T. O. BANSO
“Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6 GOD’S WORD Translation).
In yesterday’s devotional, I emphasized the need to be careful what you say. I highlighted three situations when you should be careful what you say: (1) When you are angry (2) When you are exhausted (3) When you are glad, sad, or in difficulty.
As I said yesterday, you must be careful what you say because you cannot take back whatever you have said. Be wise. Wise people exercise control over what they say thereby keeping themselves out of trouble. “Those who are careful about what they say keep themselves out of trouble” (Proverbs 21:23 New Century Version).
I want to discuss other situations when you must be careful what you say:
4. Be careful what to say when you don’t have enough information or facts or you haven’t heard from the other side or sides. If you speak based on inadequate information or facts, you will see that you are wrong when you receive more information or facts. That’s why judges hear the two sides in a case before coming to conclusions and passing judgment. In John 7:51, speaking in favour of Jesus, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, told the other Pharisees, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” (New International Version).
Don’t hear from one side and conclude. Be careful what you say when you have not heard from the parties. “Any story sounds true until someone tells the other side and sets the record straight” (Proverbs 18:17 Living Bible). The New Living Translation puts it this way: “The first to speak in court sounds right—until the cross-examination begins” The New International Version says a similar thing: “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines”
Be careful what you say when you don’t have enough details. You may discover that you have spoken hastily and ignorantly. “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!” (Proverbs 18:13 Living Bible).
5. Be careful what you say to those in trouble, facing challenges, or grieving. Don’t be judgmental or inconsiderate. Don’t conclude quickly that their fault or sin is responsible for what they are going through, they are lazy, etc. We live in a broken world. Problems or challenges are part of life. They can happen sometimes not because of the sins, laziness, or fault of people experiencing them. Be careful what you say to those in such a situation. How are you sure their sins, laziness, prayerlessness, or whatever is responsible for what they are going through? Who told you? If you cannot comfort or encourage them, keep quiet. What some people say to others in trouble or while grieving pains them and lasts longer than the effect of what happened to them.
Matthew 7:1-2 says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (New International Version).
The three friends of Job who came to comfort him ended up being his judges and critics. Job called them miserable comforters (Job 16:2). They added more to the pain he was experiencing. It would have been better if they had remained silent or not come. They tried all means to make him admit that his trial was because of his sin yet God testified of Job: “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8 New International Version).
Again, in Job 2:3, God told Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason” (New International Version). Neither Job nor his friends were aware of this conversation between God and Satan about Job.
Job’s friends were wrong. They shouldn’t have said what they said to Job. Although there were some truths in what they said, they were talking to the wrong person. Their diagnosis of Job’s case was incorrect so the the drugs they prescribed were wrong!
Comfort those suffering or experiencing adversities, not judge or condemn them. God rebuked Job’s friends. He was angry with them because they had not spoken the truth about Him, as Job, His servant, had (Job 42:7). Be careful what you say. Don’t sit in judgment over anyone. Avoid spiritual pride that makes you feel superior or holier than others. Humble yourself.
Even if anyone’s suffering or adversity is because of his sins, have you attained sinless perfection? Jesus told the accusers of the woman caught in adultery, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7 New International Version). None could throw a stone. They were all put to shame and left the woman with Jesus. He told the woman to go and sin no more. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (New King James Version).
If someone is grieving, your presence and silence could do him or her more good than making insensitive or inconsiderate ‘spiritual’ comments or statements. Be careful what you say to people in trouble, facing challenges, or grieving.
6. Be careful what to say when you don’t have anything wise or useful to say. Keep quiet if you don’t have anything wise or useful to say. You don’t always have to talk. That everybody is speaking does not mean you must. Don’t have a reputation for speaking just for speaking sake. Be someone people like to listen to because you speak words of wisdom, not seeking attention. “Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness” (Proverbs 15:2 Contemporary English Version).
If you want to say something and somebody has already said it, it may be better not to waste people’s time repeating it. People will have regard for you when you speak only when it is necessary. Learn to keep quiet. Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (New International Version).
Conclusion: I have discussed some situations when you must be careful of what you say. Generally, in your conversation, you should be careful what you say, for you cannot, in the real sense of it, withdraw whatever you say. Don’t be a careless talker. “Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6 GOD’S WORD Translation).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, help me to discipline myself to be patient to have adequate information or facts before I speak, and not make hasty conclusions. I shall be careful what I say to those in trouble, facing challenges, or grieving. I shall not judge or condemn anyone. I shall not make careless, insensitive, or inconsiderate statements or comments in Jesus’ name.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
