“You Know What I Meant”

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (Matthew 5:37 KJV)

“You know what I meant,” is often a lie to ourselves because we make assumptions that others really do know us well enough to read our minds when our mouths misspeak. The Bible is very clear on this, repeating Christ’s words again. Paul used them in his letter to the church at Corinth:

But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:18-20 KJV)

James wrote of it, too:

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (James 5:12 KJV)

We are also told that we need to give careful thought to what we speak:

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV)

I believe this is even more important in posting in blogs (such as this) or in social media, where the words spread around the world more quickly than in a roomful of people playing “Gossip.” Our words must be specific as they go public and further than ever before.

We’ve also been told what thoughts to give to these words:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

Why?

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:9 KJV)

Now isn’t that reason enough to do these things? Aren’t we seeking to be with God? Hasn’t He made promises for those who seek Him? Aren’t we to have faith in Him?

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

As I wrote previously, we are unlike God. Yet, He expects us to do His work here, all the while becoming more like Him, that He may be glorified:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

Let us not assume we know what another is thinking, but let our words be purposeful and explanatory. Let them lead others to think upon what is pure, too.