People who want to be noticed are always searching for something to say. When I consider the character of Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the God-man who has total mastery of the spoken word and could have used it to build Himself and earthly kingdom like no other or could have torn down His most staunch opponents. However, he did neither. He instead spoke the truth in love even when it gave His enemies a reason to plot His demise or when the crowds turned against him because He would not be the Messiah that they wanted Him to be. Jesus spoke with purpose and never wasted a word. It is only fitting since He is the Living Word. His words never failed to hit their target and He continued to share the truth even to His death and our salvation.
The book of James 1:16-20 has this to say about our words:
"16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
All too often we speak and do not consider beforehand our words. Even more often we crush the opportunities that we have to listen. Many of us live in a fast paced world that tells us that we are too busy to take the time to stop and listen, but when we have something to say it is alright for the clamor to cease.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 says:
"that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,"
Please take time to be silent before the Lord and allow Him to lead your mouth so that others will come to know Him by your example.
Christopher McBride