Divine Imperatives September 14 Devotional

MATTHEW 5:37a  | ^37a Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’...

For Jesus, simple speech that relied on affirmation and denial was best. “Yes” and “no” are powerful words when spoken truly. Some of us say “yes” too easily, when confronted with a demand or request or an appeal for agreement in a discussion. We are driven to please people and to make people happy, so we agree even when we are not sure we can meet the demand, honor the request, or support fully the position. This is a subtle form of dishonesty! Better to defer our “yes” until we are certain it is not actually a “no.”

Are you a person that wants to please others?

Gracious God,

Let me agree judiciously and not just to keep folks happy. When I should delay judgement or withhold agreement, help me to do so.

Amen.