Today’s scripture: Matthew 5:33-37 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
In this world of competition in which it seems we have to go to all sorts of extremes to make people believe us, it’s comforting to know that Jesus is satisfied to let us use a plain ol’ “yes” or “no” to make a statement.
“The proof is in the pudding” is a phrase that I’ve heard since childhood. I used to go combing through a bowl of the dessert diligently looking, but never did scoop up a single “proof”! Later on, I learned this saying means that the truthfulness of what we claim will be borne out by our subsequent actions.
How many times have we seen people on TV endlessly running to and fro across the stage and blubbering into the camera, or bellowing into a studio microphone to make a claim? The words they spew out are a boatload of adjectives to back-up how believable their promises and claims supposedly are. Their pretty words sound so beguiling that we get sucked into what they’re trying to dupe us into believing or doing before the claimant even has a chance to prove the claim.
Sometimes it happens in our personal lives as well.
But I believe the real test of a person’s character is defined by the test of time. I think it was advice columnist Ann Landers who used to say, “Time heals all wounds, and wounds all heels.” She was so right.
A simple “yes” or “no” really does suffice. The test of time bears out the truthfulness of a person’s simple and honest words. There’s no need to try to forcefully invoke God’s stamp of pre-approval via a bunch of unnecessary words.
I think if Jesus were to make a 15-second TV spot, he might write a script that says, “Look folks, just make a “yes” or “no” promise and then follow through. There’s no need to throw in a bunch of theatrics. History will let us know how you did.”
Thought for the day: Am I using more energy to make the promise or to carry it out?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.