You can try to disguise your identity by changing your looks, your social circle and your address. But how you speak will give you away every time.

It happened to Peter.

When a servant girl saw him warming himself by the fire, she said, “‘You…were with Jesus of Nazareth.’ But he denied it…and the girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, ‘This is one of them.’ But he denied it again…later those who stood by said to Peter again…’you are one of them…your speech shows it'” (Mark 14:67-70).

So in order to convince his accusers that he wasn’t a friend of Jesus, Peter “began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know this Man of whom you speak'” (Mark 14:71).

It worked! After that, nobody else accused him of knowing Jesus.

Isn’t it interesting how public profanity in any language, has a way of making others question the quality of your relationship with Christ?

Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph 4:29).

If you want to win people to Jesus, start with how you talk.

Paul said, “Let your speech always be with grace that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col 4:6).

Words are powerful things. They either build up or tear down, add to or take from.

It’s not important that people can tell from your accent where you’re from, but when they can’t tell by the way you talk that you’re Christ’s disciple, something’s seriously wrong.

“You are one of them…your speech shows it!” (Mark 14:70)

by Bishop E. Earl Jenkins

3 Responses to How You Speak

  1. Gedion M. Dlamini says:

    Here, myself I believe that Holy Spirit just revile true co lour of who you are no matter how devil can hide your identity. For instance here with Peter, he never thought that someone can see him under the disguised he has been in , but the eyes of the Lord can see from a far distance compare to a being.
    Myself I do believe in the living Christ more than the earthly things, as I try to for-cast the way I had crossed in the ups and downs in life. Even those I loved the most here on earth had passed away from this earth, but myself am still surviving through his mercy. Praise the Lord! AMEN!!! In 2000 when my only surviving parent(Mother) passed away I thought it was the end of the world, but God never forsaken me! Here even the book of Zechariah; 12 just give me strength to face this world with its dealings and weaknesses, just because of trust within myself.

  2. Harvey says:

    Wow!! Powerful and so true

  3. Donna says:

    A good reminder. My speech even illuminates to myself my inner feelings! If I hear myself too late, I immediately ask for Jesus’ forgiveness, and resolve to do better.

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