There are many times I say things I wish I hadn’t. But words trip off my tongue and out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them. Lately, I have tried to be deliberate about my word choices, speak carefully and think first. I have had minimal success.
Today I came across this verse in John 12:49: Jesus said, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” Jesus wasn’t just talking about speaking the words the Spirit had given Him; He was talking about the attitude with which He was to deliver His words. Jesus relied on the Spirit for the content of His words and the attitude of delivery.
There were times in His ministry that He delivered His message in a “loud voice” (John 7:37). I would guess that on the day He cleared the temple, His words were shouted over the noise of the chaos. When He spoke with the disciples at the Last Supper, His words were filled with sadness. On the cross, though at times barely audible as He gasped for air, His words were delivered with mercy. And when He was raised to life and stood before the disciples in His risen glory, His voice was full of joy.
As disciples of Christ what we say and how we say it must be given to us through the Spirit.
Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG
Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.
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