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When you say nothing at all…

Do you ever feel like your words are not being heard? Have you ever felt like what you say isn’t making a difference? Whether you speak or whether you are silent; both must be done in love. We should all have a desire to speak the truth, but even the truth has to be spoken in love! However when we are silent most of the time it is done for manipulation through pouting. In Luke 19 Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. When Jesus looks up and sees him He tells him to come down because He needs to go to his house today.

Zacchaeus was a crooked tax collector who cheated people out of money. Jesus knew it and Zacchaeus knew it, but nothing was ever spoken. And without one word “spoken” he repents and the fruit is restitution. He not only says he was wrong he tells Jesus he will give back with interests what he has stolen from the people.

Jesus never said a word about what Zacchaeus should or shouldn’t do or for that matter what he had  or hadn’t done. Zacchaeus repented without Jesus saying a word!  Moved by the audacity of Jesus’ undeserved love and acceptance, Zacchaeus publicly repented of his acts of corruption and vowed to make restitution for them, and held a feast at his house. I want you to know love is a two way street. Jesus received Zacchaeus just the way he was but Zacchaeus received Jesus into his home. Love has to be given, but it also must be received.

There is a lot of talk about law and love, grace and truth, love and grace. I want you to note Jesus never said anything about Zacchaeus’ wrongdoings but Jesus also never tried too justify what he had done as being ok. Jesus never said, “Thats o.k. Zacchaeus you don’t have to give back what you have taken.” No. He allowed him freedom but He also allowed him the opportunity to repent and be changed. It’s both! Love and grace, law and love, grace and truth.

Sometimes love speaks, sometimes love is silent, sometimes love presents the truth, but no matter how our actions are displayed it should always be done in love! If your words or silence are not done in love they will sound like a “*clanging cymbal” to the person who is receiving them. (*I Corinthians 13)

The way to know your speaking more “truth” than “love”:

1. When you want to prove your point more than resolve the issue.

2. When you want to be heard more than you want to hear.

3. When you want to be right more than you want a resolve.

4. When your ego is more important than the person’s need.

5. When you listen but don’t hear.

6. When your wrong but don’t recognize it.

7. When you are in the wrong but don’t admit it.

8. When you say the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong way.

9. When you talk so much people don’t value what you do say when you say something worth hearing.

10. When you consider how you feel more than how others feel.

Many of us speak the truth, but not in love. We speak more truth than love. Speak the truth, but do so in love. Say what you mean and mean what you say, but don’t be mean!