What are they saying?
June 3, 2010 (Thursday)
When Jesus was arrested, his followers fled, but Peter followed Jesus and his captors, from a distance. He entered the courtyard of the place where Jesus was being questioned, and tried to blend in with the crowd. Someone came up to him, and said, “You’re one of his followers, aren’t you?” He denied it. Someone else said, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it. Another person said, “Surely you’re one of them, your speech betrays you.” Peter vehemently denied it again.
“Your speech betrays you” (Matthew 26:73). This statement can be made about any of us. What we say and how we say it shows what’s in our hearts. We can proclaim loudly that we are followers of Jesus, but our speech will tell the real story and people will know if our claim to be one of His is true.
What comes out of your mouth each day? Are they words of love, hope, and encouragement? Or are they profane words, loaded with sinful innuendo? Somehow the world of people around us seem to know instinctively whether our profession of faith and our daily lifestyles match up. If they don’t, then those people do not want to hear anything we may want to say about what Christ can do for them.
Long ago, the Psalmist prayed, “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 NIV). May this be our own prayer, also.