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3-16-07
Ruby Ramsey
Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, "Are you king of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He said nothing. Then Pilate said to him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" But He answered not a word, so that the governor marveled greatly. (Matthew 27:11-14)
Jesus could have defended Himself. He could have called ten thousand angles to His rescue, but He didn't. He knew that His Father had sent Him to this earth to die on a cruel cross to reconcile us to God. It was a horrible thing to have to do, but it is the reason He came to earth and He knew it.
Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was more afraid, and went again into the Praetorian and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have the power to crucify You, and the power to release You.?" Jesus answered and said, "You could have no power against Me unless it had been given from above. Therefore, the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. (John 19:8-11)
Jesus knew Who had the power. He knew what was about to happen. It was pointless to say anything except to remind Pilate what the power comes from.
For this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, what we should follow in His steps; who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth, who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to our sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes we are healed. (I Peter 3:21-24)
Sometimes we talk too much. Sometimes we are filled with idle chatter. We should make our words count, like Jesus did when he spoke to Pilate.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of a fool does not do so. (Proverbs 15:7)
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is. (Proverbs 15:23)
Even if we are accused of something, it is better to say little. Sometimes the more we say just makes matters worse. We might say we are not guilty, but there is no point in rattling on and on. Sometimes we are called names, but do we answer with nasty words?
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
Not only should we be careful of what we say but how we say it. A Christian woman should not speak harshly or roughly or yell or scream at someone. She should conduct herself in a quiet and gentle manner. Acting any other way brings a reflection on our heavenly Father. In all things, at all times, we need to remember this verse:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strenth and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
If our words are not acceptable to God, we are in danger of losing our souls.
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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