Three Questions to Ask Before You Open Your Mouth

Monday we learned that words carry weight. Tuesday we admitted how hard it is to manage them. Today, let's get practical.

Today's Scripture: "Let what you say be simply yes or no. Anything more than this comes from evil."— Matthew 5:37

Reflection: Jesus sets a high bar: be the kind of person whose yes is simply yes and whose no is simply no. No elaborate oaths needed. No qualifiers or escape hatches. Just honesty — consistent, reliable, trustworthy honesty.

So how do we actually get there? It starts before the words leave your mouth.

Before you make a commitment, ask:

1. Do I actually mean this? Not "do I want to mean it" or "does it sound good right now" — but will I still mean it next week when it costs me something? Impulsive words make for broken promises. Slow down before you commit.

2. Have I counted the cost? Numbers 30 pictures a father who is present enough to ask, "Have you really thought this through?" Sometimes we need to be that voice for ourselves. What will it actually require to keep this word?

3. Who knows what I've committed to? Accountability isn't a punishment — it's a gift. When someone close to you knows what you've said, you're far more likely to follow through. That's not weakness; that's wisdom.

These aren't complicated steps. But practiced daily, they can quietly transform you into someone people can actually trust — at home, at work, in your community, and before God.

Today's Application: Before you make any commitment today — big or small — pause and ask at least one of these three questions. Make it a practice, not just a one-time exercise.

A Closing Thought: Becoming a person of your word is less about willpower and more about building habits of honesty, one small conversation at a time.