If You Say It...Prove It!

Just say a simple, ‘Yes,’ or ‘No,’ 

Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:37

Words! We use them all the time.  In fact, many of the words we speak are so automatic that they have lost most, if not all, of their meaning.  When asked "How are you doing?" our automatic response is usually "Fine."  What does that really mean?

 

We are quick to spin our words so that we appear either the "victim" or the "hero" depending on the situation.  Why? It's uncomfortable for us to actually take responsibility for our words and actions, so we seek to deflect responsibility OR we seek to gain adoration by spinning our words to make us appear more than we are.

 

Would it be nice to be able to "Say what we mean, and mean what we say"?  Want to know what's stopping us from doing just that? Look in the mirror!

 

One of the lessons that was drilled into my rock hard stubborn noggin was "If you say it, PROVE IT!"  If I said I was going to do something, I was expected (and required) to actually do it.   As a result, I have come to expect the same of others.  

 

Think about this:  

     *   How many times have I said "I'm praying for you" or "I'll pray for you"?  And was that word kept?

     *   How many times have we promised to make changes and then slip right back into our comfort zones?

 

Think of your spouse....have you ever not been honest with them?  Can you talk with them about anything and everything (even if it is painful or you know it will upset them)? 

 

Jesus tells us to keep it simple!  If you mean "Yes" then simply say "Yes."  If you mean "No" then simply say "No."  On our abundance of words or absence of words our reputations are build.

 

My mentor told me many years ago, "Words without meaning are wasted breath."  Thus, if you say it.....PROVE IT!