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- Apr 25, 2006
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Say what you mean
'... Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no ...' James 5:12
'Sick. Wicked. Mint. Cool. Sweet. Cheese. Gross.' What do you think when you hear those words? And what do your parents think? I'm guessing, completely different things. You think: 'amazing, awesome, fantastic, nice, great, naff, disgusting'. Your parents think: 'ill, evil, a herb that flavours toothpaste, cold, a strawberry bonbon, cheddar, and large'.
Words can be so easy to misunderstand, and I'm guessing you'll have had a time when your mum has a go at you for not being able to understand what you're saying, or your dad tries to drop a 'cool' into everyday conversation.
Sometimes what we say can be easily confused, especially if we're not in the habit of saying what we mean. The Bible says '... Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No', no ...' Does that mean you have to eat a dictionary before you speak to anyone to make sure you use all the correct and proper grammar? Not at all. But it's really important to actually think about what you're saying to people.
Only say 'yes' if you really mean it, not because you've felt pressured into it. Stop and think for a moment before your instant reply to your parents is 'no'. Is there a chance you could you actually do what they're asking? By doing that, you'll build strong relationships, and people will know they can trust your 'Yes' to be yes, and your 'No' to be no.
written by Bob Gass
'... Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no ...' James 5:12
'Sick. Wicked. Mint. Cool. Sweet. Cheese. Gross.' What do you think when you hear those words? And what do your parents think? I'm guessing, completely different things. You think: 'amazing, awesome, fantastic, nice, great, naff, disgusting'. Your parents think: 'ill, evil, a herb that flavours toothpaste, cold, a strawberry bonbon, cheddar, and large'.
Words can be so easy to misunderstand, and I'm guessing you'll have had a time when your mum has a go at you for not being able to understand what you're saying, or your dad tries to drop a 'cool' into everyday conversation.
Sometimes what we say can be easily confused, especially if we're not in the habit of saying what we mean. The Bible says '... Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No', no ...' Does that mean you have to eat a dictionary before you speak to anyone to make sure you use all the correct and proper grammar? Not at all. But it's really important to actually think about what you're saying to people.
Only say 'yes' if you really mean it, not because you've felt pressured into it. Stop and think for a moment before your instant reply to your parents is 'no'. Is there a chance you could you actually do what they're asking? By doing that, you'll build strong relationships, and people will know they can trust your 'Yes' to be yes, and your 'No' to be no.
written by Bob Gass
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