Do you ever wish you knew what to say? When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, He left the crowds speechless.
“When they heard this, they were amazed.” Matthew 22:22. “And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished.” 22:33. “No one was able to answer Him at all, and from that day, no one dared to question Him.” 22:46.
(Later, Jesus spoke not a word in His own defense and even his SILENCE left Pilate “greatly amazed” Matt. 27:14.)
He amazed the crowds, and did it without using what the Bible calls “coarse language.”
But that doesn’t mean He was not critical of those who deserved criticism. But rather than call people names or insult them with scatalogical references and bathroom humor, He identified their specific sins using names that showed them their need for change. Here they are in order from today’s reading:
Hypocrites. Hypocrites. Hypocrites. Blind guides. Blind fools. Blind people. Hypocrites. Blind guides. Blind Pharisee. Hypocrites. Hypocrites. Snakes. Brood of vipers. Fox.
GUESS WHAT?
You can speak powerfully without bad words. Your speech can leave people amazed when God is in it. And you can confront your enemies boldly without getting sloppy with four-letter words.
“And there must be no filthiness, or silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting” Ephesians 5:4.
God, bless our speech. Give us the power to articulate Your truth, to confront lies and hypocrisy, and to speak boldly but with proper language. Help us glorify You with powerful, truthful, godly words.
Read Matthew 22.
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Household Words: 