Restrained Lips
“And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marvelled.”
Jesus never wasted His words, if we go to Proverbs 10:19 the Bible says:
“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Restraining our lips is wise - Sometimes by saying little or nothing has more impact than spouting off. What do they say... A barking dog does not bite. Unfortunately, I am not very good at keeping quiet - I have got myself into lots of trouble over the years but every time Jesus spoke, it was worth hearing.
The Bible tells us that Pontius Pilate was impressed that Jesus had nothing to say about the barrage of accusations that were levelled against Him. The Bible says that he marvelled at the Master’s response. Our lifestyle should speak much louder than our words.
I remember when I was young, my brother and I - not my little sister, she was a good girl - but my brother and I, when my mom would call us in to come and bath in the evening... She would call once and we would say, “No, mom is still happy.” She would call a second time, then I could hear that mom was becoming a bit agitated... The third time we'd say: “Boys, we had better go!” But when that old blacksmith came home from work, my dad, he would only speak once and we would jump because we knew what would happen if we didn’t!
Remember, if you have got nothing good to say about somebody, rather say nothing. The last words that Jesus said in John 19:30 before He died on the Cross of Calvary for our sins, were: "It is finished." Those were His last words and with that, He opened a way for you and me to have eternal life.
Go out today and say something good to someone. If you have nothing good to say about them, don’t say anything at all but go out and share the love of Jesus Christ through an encouraging word.
God bless you and have a lovely day.