Does my accent give me away?
For two days now, i have been reading keenly the betrayal and the crucifixion story from the account of Matthew and a lot of things have jumped out at me...
I will reproduce Matthew 26:73
"After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said "Surely you are one of them for your accent gives you away..."(NIV)
"And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” (NKJV)
"A short time later, some people standing there went to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of those who followed Jesus. The way you talk shows it." (NCV)
I have reproduced this passage in three different versions of the Bible.
The scenario is the last denial of Jesus by peter.
While i was studying this morning, the Holy spirit opened my eye to see a fundamental part of christianity - our speech. While a large number may argue that the scripture above refers to Peter's accent, i believe this scripture makes it clear that Peter had followed Jesus so much in ALL aspects of his life that he began speaking the way Jesus did. For those who may argue that the scripture deals with a geographical accent, i have one question to ask: Was Peter the only one from Galilee in the whole Arena? (i know i said one question but another one popped up in my head now - forgive me) Were all Galileans (if there is such a word) followers or disciples of Jesus? Certainly NOT! This passage was not referring to a geographical accent.
Peter had studied and followed Christ so much that he began to speak the same way Christ would speak even unconciously! When the Holy Ghost opened my eyes to this, my mind immediately went to members of Christ Embassy...Every member of Christ Embassy you encounter has the same prayer style as their Pastor - Pastor Chris. So much so that if you meet a Christ Ambassador (if that is what they are called...) for the first time, you know immediately what church he belongs to!
My question this morning. first to myself and then to anyone reading is: Does my (your) accent betray me(you)? Can people listen to you and know immediately that you are a Christ follower? Do they need to dig deep into your Facebook profile to realize that you are a Christian? Do the fruits of your lips give you away like Peter?
Peter was so filled with the likeness of Christ and loyalty to him that even in the face of Danger, he gave himself away with his speech. He had to expressly deny Jesus and even then, his denial was not convincing....Many times, we dwell on Peter's denial on Jesus - how many times have we wondered how so grounded in the faith he was, to be:
1. Around the crucifixion site in the first place at such a dangerous time; and
2. To be given away by his speech...
i admire Peter. For after his fall, like Christ commanded, he strengthened the brethren (and that includes you and I).
Back to our topic.
Our speech.
How many times do we align ourselves with the way the world talks. How many times do we forget that we are not OF this world? How many times can we boast of being set apart by our speech? We are children of the King yet we speak like children of the Slave...
I am resolved that my speech will give me away.
Many times, we fear that people will call us hypocrites for saying one thing and doing another - say the right things anyway!(It is God that works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure - He will help you stand!)
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt...Beleievers should speak with a flavour. A difference. A touch of class that would distinguish us from the brash, harsh and dark world!
We cannot claim to be a people set apart and yet mingle so comfortably with the world. We go to the same places, listen to the same music and exclaim the same way.
Recently, i have been trying to change my very frequent exclamations of "Shit" to "Sugar". So far, i have not been 100% successful but God has seen my efforts and is helping me to do according to His will.
Let your speech betray you.
How many times do we click the like button on facebook for status reports and updates that do not glorify the name of God? How many times do our own updates reflect the patterns of this world? Can you be accused of being a Christ follower?
The Spirit revealed a lot. I will continue on this thread as the Spirit directs but till then, a word of prayer:
Dear Father,
We come to you in the name of Jesus, the name that is above all names.
We thank you for bringing us into a new month. We thank you for sustaining us for your word says that we slept and awoke becuase YOU sustained us. Thank you Lord!
We recognize that we were created to bring you Glory. For all times when our lives have fallen short of your Glory, we apologize this morning in the name of Jesus!
Dear Lord, we pray that in line with your word, we will speak the things that we ought to. We recognize that the battle to change our speech pattern is not a battle against flesh and blood but we also realize that our weapons are mighty and able to make us victorious in this battle.
Thank you Lord because henceforth our speech is seasoned as with salt.
The words of our mouth shall be acceptable in the heavenlies.
Our speech shall betray us and show that we are sold out to you and to you alone!
We pray against the dangerous sin of compromise. We stand in the gap for all believers and we pray that we may sell out for you and you alone!
Thank you father for answered prayers in the name of Jesus!
Amen.
...A God bless you at the end of a conversation, a Bless you when a neighbour sneezes, a Shalom to a friend or a brother or even just an sms with a scripture will definitely betray you. It takes just about 21 days to build a habit - this is worth a try!
i love you!
I will reproduce Matthew 26:73
"After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said "Surely you are one of them for your accent gives you away..."(NIV)
"And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” (NKJV)
"A short time later, some people standing there went to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of those who followed Jesus. The way you talk shows it." (NCV)
I have reproduced this passage in three different versions of the Bible.
The scenario is the last denial of Jesus by peter.
While i was studying this morning, the Holy spirit opened my eye to see a fundamental part of christianity - our speech. While a large number may argue that the scripture above refers to Peter's accent, i believe this scripture makes it clear that Peter had followed Jesus so much in ALL aspects of his life that he began speaking the way Jesus did. For those who may argue that the scripture deals with a geographical accent, i have one question to ask: Was Peter the only one from Galilee in the whole Arena? (i know i said one question but another one popped up in my head now - forgive me) Were all Galileans (if there is such a word) followers or disciples of Jesus? Certainly NOT! This passage was not referring to a geographical accent.
Peter had studied and followed Christ so much that he began to speak the same way Christ would speak even unconciously! When the Holy Ghost opened my eyes to this, my mind immediately went to members of Christ Embassy...Every member of Christ Embassy you encounter has the same prayer style as their Pastor - Pastor Chris. So much so that if you meet a Christ Ambassador (if that is what they are called...) for the first time, you know immediately what church he belongs to!
My question this morning. first to myself and then to anyone reading is: Does my (your) accent betray me(you)? Can people listen to you and know immediately that you are a Christ follower? Do they need to dig deep into your Facebook profile to realize that you are a Christian? Do the fruits of your lips give you away like Peter?
Peter was so filled with the likeness of Christ and loyalty to him that even in the face of Danger, he gave himself away with his speech. He had to expressly deny Jesus and even then, his denial was not convincing....Many times, we dwell on Peter's denial on Jesus - how many times have we wondered how so grounded in the faith he was, to be:
1. Around the crucifixion site in the first place at such a dangerous time; and
2. To be given away by his speech...
i admire Peter. For after his fall, like Christ commanded, he strengthened the brethren (and that includes you and I).
Back to our topic.
Our speech.
How many times do we align ourselves with the way the world talks. How many times do we forget that we are not OF this world? How many times can we boast of being set apart by our speech? We are children of the King yet we speak like children of the Slave...
I am resolved that my speech will give me away.
Many times, we fear that people will call us hypocrites for saying one thing and doing another - say the right things anyway!(It is God that works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure - He will help you stand!)
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt...Beleievers should speak with a flavour. A difference. A touch of class that would distinguish us from the brash, harsh and dark world!
We cannot claim to be a people set apart and yet mingle so comfortably with the world. We go to the same places, listen to the same music and exclaim the same way.
Recently, i have been trying to change my very frequent exclamations of "Shit" to "Sugar". So far, i have not been 100% successful but God has seen my efforts and is helping me to do according to His will.
Let your speech betray you.
How many times do we click the like button on facebook for status reports and updates that do not glorify the name of God? How many times do our own updates reflect the patterns of this world? Can you be accused of being a Christ follower?
The Spirit revealed a lot. I will continue on this thread as the Spirit directs but till then, a word of prayer:
Dear Father,
We come to you in the name of Jesus, the name that is above all names.
We thank you for bringing us into a new month. We thank you for sustaining us for your word says that we slept and awoke becuase YOU sustained us. Thank you Lord!
We recognize that we were created to bring you Glory. For all times when our lives have fallen short of your Glory, we apologize this morning in the name of Jesus!
Dear Lord, we pray that in line with your word, we will speak the things that we ought to. We recognize that the battle to change our speech pattern is not a battle against flesh and blood but we also realize that our weapons are mighty and able to make us victorious in this battle.
Thank you Lord because henceforth our speech is seasoned as with salt.
The words of our mouth shall be acceptable in the heavenlies.
Our speech shall betray us and show that we are sold out to you and to you alone!
We pray against the dangerous sin of compromise. We stand in the gap for all believers and we pray that we may sell out for you and you alone!
Thank you father for answered prayers in the name of Jesus!
Amen.
...A God bless you at the end of a conversation, a Bless you when a neighbour sneezes, a Shalom to a friend or a brother or even just an sms with a scripture will definitely betray you. It takes just about 21 days to build a habit - this is worth a try!
i love you!
posted by Tehilah at
8:56 AM
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