"I Asked You a Simple Question"

 Scripture:
Matthew 5:37 (NIV)
All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

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




 
Note:
If you've been following the T.O.D.s regularly, then you most likely noticed that there was no post for yesterday, day 13. I spent the day consulting the LORD and dwelling in His rest. Although I figured it would be ideal if a day resting in the LORD came on a 7th day, the LORD had other plans. Perhaps a random Monday-rest day is a result of me/us putting too much confidence in our flesh. The LORD rested on the 7th day of creation, what makes us think that WE can keep going and going without burning out our physical selves? Although the above "note" will have to suffice for now, know that an "ENTER INTO THE LORD'S REST" T.O.D. is in order. This much needed topic is coming soon. Will you please pray that the LORD will speak through me when that time comes?

For today's T.O.D., we have another focus...

Inspiration:

I have become notorious for "overcomplicating" potentially simple Yes-or-No questions. I often want to know everything there is to know about an inquiry, prior to my saying yes or no. There are so many factors to be considered! There are so many nuances of language that will play an integral role in how I should respond! Someone asking me if I want to do XYZ will yield a different response than if they simply ask me if I can do XYZ. And a can you will yield a different result than a will you. I wouldn't be surprised if you have a headache just thinking about the complexities that my brain conjures up in the simplest of questions! Probably the most mind-boggling is that I deem the  inquirer as difficult if he/she is unwilling to answer all of my preliminary questions about their question. I won't even pretend to conclude how that person feels in this situation. It can't be good though.

Recently, I received the revelation that "okay is not yes". Ouch. Laced with reluctance and most likely remnants of judgment (Why couldn't you ask me sooner? Why couldn't you have planned sooner or better? Why couldn't you use these vocabulary words? Why did you ask ME to do THIS PARTICULAR task? Etc. Etc.), I can count on one hand the times that I have said a simple "yes". I'm not talking about an "Oh yea, I can do that" an "okay" or even a "that works". I rarely ever say a simple yes. I am a little better with the NOs. Ha.

Maybe and most likely, your struggle is different. Perhaps you freely say your yes's and no's but then renege, acting in a way that is contrary to your word. Maybe you agreed to show up on time, but then your actions reveal a lingering no in your innermost parts.

For those of you who have children or are responsible for them in some capacity, how often are their yes's YES and there no's NO? From what example have they gleaned? Similarly, what types of yes' and no's are you sowing and reaping with your spouse? In other relationships?

Outside of YES & NO, all that other stuff leaves a cracked door for our enemy to creep in. The devil wants to steal, kill, destroy and deceive. He is the accuser of the brethren. Let's SHUT THE DOOR with today's T.O.D.


TASK OF THE DAY 14:
Today's task is to let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Remember: ...a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8 (KJV)