Scripture

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

Luke 18:19 (NIV)

Observation

Some erroneously think that Jesus was saying he wasn’t good, but that’s not true. Instead, examine why Jesus said what he said.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 18:18 (NIV)

This man wanted to justify himself and was trying to show Jesus respect by calling him “good” since he recognized the divinity associated with being good and tried to flatter him by using this honorific. However, the ruler didn’t see Jesus as divine. That’s to say, “The Messiah.” Hence, Jesus’ question. Had the man really believed Jesus was good and recognized that only God is good, then the man would have listened to what Jesus said about eternal life because Jesus is the Christ. Instead, we get this insight into how the man responded.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.

Luke 18:19-23 (NIV)

Thus, the man only sought to justify himself and never really wanted to know what to do to get to heaven. However, if the man listened to Jesus and believed, he would have followed Jesus and been saved. Not because he sold everything he had but because he recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

The words we use have meaning. Therefore, we must consider what we say and if what we say aligns with our hearts. Consider this verse from Proverbs:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

We can speak life or death, but I believe the “force” and “impact” of what we say is determined by what’s in our hearts rather than what comes out of our mouths. While we can say nice things to people or about them, our actions reveal our hearts more than our words. Therefore, we must be careful about what we say and how we say it.

Application

Examine your motives before you speak and think about what you say. If you’re talking just to be heard, then consider this proverb:

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Think about this verse too:

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)

Remember that you cannot tame your tongue:

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:8 (NIV)

Also, remember that what comes out of your mouth comes from your heart:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Therefore, guard your heart and renew your mind per Romans:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Prayer

I praise you, Father, for who you are. I repent of those times when my words haven’t aligned with my heart and my heart wasn’t in sync with yours. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for helping me to see that my tongue can be tamed by you when I renew my mind. Please help me to not conform to this world but to pattern my life after you. Furthermore, please help me to do what your word says: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV), so you can be glorified in and through my life. Thank you for doing these things. In Jesus’ mighty and matchless name, I pray. Amen.