Morning Champ
You Say it Best When You Say Nothing at All (Cont’d)
Let’s think again about the power of silence and look at these verses using the modern Message translation from this account this in the book of Matthew
Matthew 15: 3 – 5 (The Message)
The high priests let loose a barrage of accusations. 4Pilate asked again, "Aren't you going to answer anything? That's quite a list of accusations." 5Still, he said nothing. Pilate was impressed, really impressed.
In not speaking He impressed Pilate and more importantly was actually fulfilling what Isaiah the prophet had prophesied concerning Him, validating His identity (the truth of who he was) to those who had ears to hear and eyes to see.
Isaiah 53:7 (New International Version)
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and was able to trust His Father God in the midst of it. A good leadership lesson is when we know what we are doing there is no reason or purpose to justify it to everyone.
I am sure you have learned, as I have, that speaking when you don’t need to or shouldn’t, can get you into the position where you find yourself digging yourself out of a hole you never needed to be in. Have you ever dug your way out of pointless holes? You can’t change them but you can stop yourself from digging others.
If He would have gotten himself into a conversation or debate concerning the what and why of all He was doing He would have stepped out of Isaiah’s prophesy concerning who He was and positioned Himself in a place where He could jeopardize the redemptive plan that would be carried out. By not verbally justifying who He was or His actions He more clearly showed that He was the one whom God had chosen to redeem the world according to Isaiah’s prophetic word. His silence was the fulfillment of the Scripture and the Jews who were there watching would know this and see prophetic fulfillment happening before their very eyes.
Leadership lesson:
As we lead in life for God let’s be wise with our speech:
1. Have different responses for different people depending on who they are in your life and the situation at hand.
2. Remember different people can handle knowing different things. What can they handle? Don’t give them what they can’t!
3. Certain people deserve to know certain things and others don’t and need to wait and see so be wise with your words!
Have a great day and lead well in it.
Andy
A devotional by Pastor Andy Elmes to inspire you with a godly thought to start your day well. God’s word is indeed the breakfast of champions.
Great Big Life
Empowering People
Andy Elmes
Pastor & Leadership Coach
UK Office:
PO BOX 240
Southsea
PO2 7YE.
+ 44 (0) 2392 342592
