Some things are better left unsaid. Daily Devotional - October 19, 2009

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 10-11, Ezekiel 45, John 12

John 12: 49-50 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

I have once heard that if you want to be more like Jesus, read the gospels...and then read them again. We can learn a lot about how Jesus walked the earth, responded to situations and most of all how he interacted with people from reading what those closest to him wrote. The cliche saying "What would Jesus do?" is something we can easily answer if we study his word more and become more familiar with who He is. In this passage in John, we see Jesus explaining that he only says what the Father tells him to say. This is so powerful, because it means he could have always had the best comeback line, the most witty response or the most eloquent speech to impress those around him–-but he realized he was subject to say only what His Father told him to say!

Jesus was the most concise communicator. He often spoke only two or three powerful words to ignite action..."Woman be healed" or "Rise up and walk." He made his point without making a lofty speech. He said only what the father told him to say.

I don’t know about you, but I fail in this area sometimes. I respond out of emotion rather than taking the time to sit, pray, wait and then respond. I have learned some vital communication lessons along the way that have helped me to have less failure stories to add to my book. Here are a few:

Stay issue focused, not people focused
When we are upset, it is easy to point the finger and go on verbal diatribes. Only later do we realize we only meant half of what we said. We let the issue that frustrated us direct our frustrations towards the person. Issues can be resolved, but an individual cannot be changed by anyone but God. We can’t change who a person is, God made them that way for a reason. However we can help them change behaviors and habits if we bring it in the right way.

Be constructive, not condemning
Which is more fruitful; that I call my husband a lazy slob or that I ask him to improve on picking up his clothes off the bathroom floor? Why is it that after thousands of years of humans attacking each other through condemnation, that we still expect to see results from this? Have the "turn or burn" signs ever saved anyone? Have the picketers against gays or abortionists with hateful messages ever convinced anyone to change their beliefs? Prov. 18:21 says, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat of it’s fruit." Our words can bring life if they are backed with a spirit of love and not of judgement.

Speak only what is necessary
If Jesus only spoke the words that the Father told him to speak, how much more so should we start keeping our mouth shut until we know that we are supposed to open it? I am challenged on this every day, when I hear something from God, will I try to interpret it more or just be the courier and deliver it as it was packaged? As humans we always try to interpret, add to it or make it as elaborate and impressive as possible but if we follow Jesus example we will only speak what is necessary.
　
The pressure is off! You don’t have to have all the right answers or responses! Follow his lead and if the Father isn’t giving any instructions, perhaps some things are better left unsaid.

Thanks for reading and responding,
Melissa Miller

Tomorrow's reading: 1 Chronicles 12-13, Ezekiel 46, John 13-14