Lip Service

A lot of people seem to be talking about a lot of things lately. Whether it be in person, by phone, text, email or one of the endless social media platforms, we are constantly communicating. It feels, however, that sometimes we are not saying a whole lot. The Bible speaks into the trouble with saying things just to hear ourselves. In both the Book of James (5:12) and Matthew (5:37), we learn that less is actually more when we talk. In Matthew, Jesus includes this wisdom in His Sermon on the Mount. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. In other words, Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

As a law enforcement officer, you are trained in all aspects of your duties including testifying in court. Of the many lessons, perhaps the most valuable is to be: truthful, direct and concise in your responses while testifying. When you try to say too much or explain too much, the additional information can be used against you and the truth you were originally trying to convey.

I find this to be much the same in the current season of life I am in. Both in what I say to other people and what I hear them saying to me. Many times, the valuable content of a conversation is lost in all the other words we feel necessary to include. More importantly, I have also noticed recently that many will say one thing, but do another. Once again, Jesus was spot on in His wisdom and insight. It truly is not what you say, but what you do...

Pastor Aaron