QUICK STEPSSample

QUICK TALKING

I seldom go through a day without saying things that could have been communicated much better, or maybe not at all. Quick-natured people like Peter and me often put our feet in it when we speak before our minds have a chance to do quality control.

In Luke 9, Peter went to his default response to overwhelming situations. He bought some time talking while his brain tried to understand the incomprehensible. Peter woke up to see Jesus, Elijah, and Moses during the supernatural transfiguration of Jesus. And how does he react? “As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, ‘Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials - one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (v. 33, NLT).

No harm was done by Peter’s words as the glory of God “overshadowed them” (Luke 9:34, NLT). But I think he probably felt a bit silly about his impulsive idea to build earthly houses for heavenly beings. The problem is that not all hasty talking disappears into thin air like Peter’s blunder. We are often left feeling embarrassed and not liking ourselves very much.

As I continue the daily struggle against my quick-natured missteps, I find great comfort in Paul’s words. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NLT). What a relief! I have a divine Helper who doesn’t mind doing quality control before my words are released. That is, if I take the time to allow Him to do it.

Would you like to change the way you verbally react to situations in your life? Do you think that you would be able to live a more holy life if you considered your words more carefully?

Let us ask the Lord to work with us to slow down our quick words. And let us trust the Holy Spirit within us to guide and protect us along the way. “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words” (Proverbs 15:28, NLT).