Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Doesn’t anyone just want to talk anymore? Why do we have to DISCUSS everything? Why can’t we just talk anymore?
Whats the difference?, some may ask.
TALK: (noun) the act of talking; speech; conversation, esp. of a familiar or informal kind.
DISCUSS: to consider or examine by argument, comment, etc.; talk over or write about, esp. to explore solutions; debate
The difference is that in discussing, it seems its always to achieve an end result. But it rarely ever does. It usually ends up as a disagreement or a debate over some issue. In talking… there is no end result, except to share… to fellowship. Talking is to simply converse. Seems like, in these harried times, talking is on the way out. We DISCUSS. We have board meeting to DISCUSS. We have conferences to DISCUSS. Its all about “examining by argument”. Its all about “exploring solutions”. Its all about “debate“.
Not that those things are bad things. They are necessary when a solution is called for or when a point needs to be made. But, when is the last time that we have just stopped to talk about whats really important: the goodness of our Lord? When have we stopped to talk about an inspiring story, or an event that left us in awe at God’s greatness and power.?
I think about the two walking on the road to Emmaus.
Luk 24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. Wouldn’t you love to be know what they were talking about? I can’t prove it, but, I’d guess they were just talking, and not discussing, the events of the past few days. I like to think they were talking about the great sacrifice their Lord willingly made to redeem the souls of mankind. No, I can’t prove what the content of their conversation was, but I can venture to say it wasn’t an argument… it wasn’t a debate… because Jesus was right there with them! I’d venture to say they were speaking “the truth in love”. Their conversation was, without a doubt, a holy conversation… no malice, no libel…no deceit…. just like the Bible tells us ours should be. I think they just talked.
When is the last time we just talked?
Paul tells us how we should think:
Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. If that is how we should think, shouldn’t our talking match our thinking? Shouldn’t we be giving praise? Speaking honestly? Giving good reports? Shouldn’t our speech be pure of malice and ill will? Not idle or foolish talk, but talk that inspires, talk that edifies, talk that just makes us love the Lord (and each other) a little bit more. Does the Lord listen when we talk to oneanother and does He remember what we say? Shouldn’t the Lord feel welcome to enter our conversation?
So, lets talk. About a spiritual experience. About God’s goodness. About our excitement in knowing the Lord. About our expectation for His soon coming. Lets just talk. Who knows, He just meet us there… as we are talking… on the road to Emmaus.
Jhn 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.