Monday, April 4, 2016

SPILL THE BEANS


Spill the beans.

Blab.

Blurt.

Blather.

Yes, I have been guilty of spilling the beans.

But let me be perfectly clear here.  I am not talking about sharing secrets or confidences.

No way.  

I am eminently trustworthy with private conversations, vulnerable feelings, honest thoughts.

I will not betray a person's faith in me.

And I will not be the one to burst the bubble of a surprise party, gift, or announcement.

So, I'm not talking about that.

It's more that I just don't think sometimes, and something slips out that probably wasn't the best thing to say.

You see, I suffer from "foot-in-mouth disease."

I can't tell you the number of times I've said something, and then realized what I've said, and wished that I could rewind my words.

For instance, I am a walking, human spoiler alert at times.

Like how I ruined the movie Armageddon for my older son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so sad when Bruce Willis dies at the end of the movie."

Or how I ruined the movie Sixth Sense for my youngest son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so weird how Bruce Willis is really dead at the end of the movie."

(Honestly, what is it about Bruce Willis and me??  In my defense, I thought both of my sons had already seen these movies).

I've also been known to tell my oldest son the score of a game, only to find out that he hadn't seen the game yet.

"Did you see that comeback in the third period?  WOW!"

"No, Mom, I taped it.  Thanks."

Sigh.


I also seem to tell everyone way too much about my personal life.

My sons tease me about how often I make *a close personal friend in less than five minutes.*

I think some of the teasing is good-natured, and comes from their admiration of my openness and vulnerability.  But sometimes, I think they believe that I should be a little more circumspect in what I share!

And I can't begin to recount the all-too-many times that I've said something in anger, in the heat of the moment, only to realize that I didn't really mean it.

So, if spilling the beans means upturning a pot of beans and making a big 'ol mess, yeah, I've done it…

No wonder we are admonished to *tame the tongue!*


I got to thinking about this…

As I read in the New Testament, it's interesting that there are several instances when Jesus performs a miracle, and then cautions people not to tell others about it.

It never worked.

People always told.

But why didn't Jesus want it told?

What were His reasons for wanting silence?


In my research, I've come upon two good reasons:

First, if news of Jesus' healings and miracles became widely known, His movements would become hindered.

Can you imagine the excitement generated by what Jesus did?  And how much attention this brought Jesus?

And how much this newfound *celebrity* would inhibit Him on His mission?

Indeed, this is exactly what happened:

"As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere.  He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him." (Mark 1:45, NLT)


Secondly, Jesus was undoubtedly concerned that news of His miracles would distract and detract from His mission.  Instead of coming to Jesus for His message, many would be attracted to Him solely for the miracles He performed.

They would be less interested in finding truth than in viewing a "show."

Dazzled by having their physical problems solved, they would concentrate on that instead of their spiritual need – the forgiveness of sins.

They would become like King Herod:

"Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." (Luke 23:8, NLT)

Or like everyone else:

"Jesus asked, 'Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?'" (John 4:48, NLT)


So, there was a time when Jesus counseled against "spilling the beans."

And people disobeyed.

However, at the end of His time on earth, Jesus gave a completely different message.

He commissioned His disciples to go and tell the world about Him:

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" (Mark 16:15, NLT)


I think about this.

You know, He was talking to us, too.

The Great Commission was given to ALL His followers.

How are we doing?

Sometimes we've been known to disobey these words, too.

We've kept the message to ourselves, bypassed opportunities to speak truth, or melted into a corner when people start castigating "religious" people.

(At least I've done this – have you?)

But we can't afford to be silent.

Jesus wants to be known.

For who He truly is – the Living Son of God.

Jesus did not come to this world to be a performing puppet.  He wasn't a circus entertainer or a showman.  Not a magician or a conjurer.

Certainly not a vending machine to fulfill our endless requests.

He didn't come for our purposes.

He came to save us.

And now, as His hands and feet, He calls us to spread His Gospelthe very Good News of who He is, what happened when He was here on earth, and why He did what He did.


We're so human, aren't we?

We're told to keep quiet – and we open our mouths.

We're told to speak out – and we close our mouths.

Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit's discernment and His power.

We need to be told when it's wisest to keep silent, and then to obey.

And we need to be told when it's wisest to speak out, and then to obey.


I'm asking for the Lord to help me in this area.

I want to *tame my tongue* – and use it properly for His purposes.

But, as far as spreading the message of His salvation?

Well, I can hear Him saying to me…

"Go on!  Spill the beans!!"



Are you boldly taking opportunities to share the Gospel?






Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills
and everywhere -
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ
is born.


(Written by John Wesley Work, Jr.) 



"'I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.  He has not left that open to us.  He did not intend to." 

(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)



"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
'But what about you?' he asked.  'Who do you say I am?'
Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you…'" 

(Matthew 16:13-17, NIV)


"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all…" 
(Acts 4:33, NIV)

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." 
(Isaiah 12:4-5, NIV)

"…'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:13-15, NLT)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…" (Romans 1:16-17, NASB)

"I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not." (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

"'Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'" (Exodus 4:12, NLT)

"'God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'" (Matthew 10:19-20, NLT)

"'And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.'" (Matthew 24:14, NLT)




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TITUS 2SDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY 
(The last few days have been so busy, and I've not been feeling well.  So, if I joined your blog hop/link party and didn't reference you here this week, I apologize.  I'll be back on track next week.  Thanks!)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

37 comments:

  1. sweety, love your honesty. we are all guilty of this.

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  2. I have been known to "assume a familiarity which is not there." Open mouth insert foot.

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  3. I am not as bold as I should be in sharing my faith. I do it a lot with actions, but not as much with words. Something I need to do a bit more of I think.

    LOL, I love how you have foot in the mouth disease; I think I have it too!

    betty

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  4. Hi Sharon! I was just reminiscing with a friend about something we did together years ago. I said "We were young then!" Um...shouldn't have said that. Apparently she is sensitive about her age.

    I wonder if I do spread the Word, the love, the spirit. I hope to do that in writing and speaking, but really, it should be in my everyday life. I know I can be trusted with secrets, but I should be trusted to do just the opposite with God's wonderful message. This is a good nudge to remember that!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  5. {my comment before I even finish this before I have a senior moment}

    I love this about YOU, Sharon! {not so much the "spilling the beans" part ... but my "admiration of your openness and vulnerability". plus you're not afraid to share the "messy" parts of our lives or journey to get where we are ...

    Even though you researched and came up with two really good reasons that I agree with ... I have to add my 2 cents ... about my theory as to why Jesus told them not to tell. HE knows our human-ness and weakness {saw how it worked in the Garden} so He told them this, knowing that "they" (we) would do the opposite and He was ready for that and hoping that just a little this might downside them really going out and advertising BIG time ... like "I know a secret but don't tell anyone" and one and on.

    Now back to where you go with this ... and check on your wonderful "grateful" thoughts for what's going on with you this past week... I so love your daily quest of finding something to be grateful about! I'm grateful for you my dear sister and friend and any "beans" spilled my way ... love and hugs, Peggy

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    Replies
    1. I knew you'd bring it home ... hit the nail on the head ... "We're told to keep quiet – and we open our mouths.

      We're told to speak out – and we close our mouths.

      Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit's discernment and His power.

      We need to be told when it's wisest to keep silent, and then to obey.

      And we need to be told when it's wisest to speak out, and then to obey."

      Oh YEAH!!! Our Great Commission or omission? ... answer to your question ... I most certainly "try" {kinda my main mission, wouldn't you say?}

      From the looks of your sidebar list of "grateful thoughts"
      you may not be feeling so well ... so once again before I read them ... I'm praying for His healing touch over you, Sharon, in Jesus' precious name ... I love you and will be praying more after reading what's up>

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  6. I love this! How fun that you and had the same thought and posted the same at Monday Musings!

    You bring up two really good possibilities for why he said, "Don't tell!": 1) His movements might become hindered, and 2) The miracles might distract or detract from his message.

    I do find it interesting that Jesus' message changed when he left earth. Suddenly, he was commanding his disciples to tell everyone!

    Side note: I actually wrote my post back in October and since then have further pondered Jesus' intentions regarding the Great Commission. I wrote this article if you're interested: http://journeyoftheword.com/2016/03/12/i-question-the-great-commission/.

    Thanks so much for drawing my attention to this post!

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  7. I blab a lot too. Interesting you should mention the idea of Christ as moral teacher. I have been blogging a lot about Buddhist and Christ. I feel called to that community and am trying to offer truth

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  8. I have been known to have that foot in the mouth. I'm getting better the older I get. I did a study a few years back called - Keep It Shut. Changed my perspective.

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  9. What a delightful post and I understand how one can spill beans quickly and repent, but not rewind. Age does help when it comes to keep a trust or a secret. As a young person we tend to want to share everything we know - even when it is not acceptable. Now, I watch, observe and usually pray while keeping quiet. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  10. There is a time to talk and a time to be silent. The trouble is knowing which to do when. :) Thanks for being so honest, Sharon. I know we all can relate to times we've spilled the beans when we shouldn't.

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  11. Love this -- gosh I'm so guilty, too, of speaking too fast, reacting too quickly, bursting with angry responses..keeping silent is a virtue I still work on everyday!! Love how you point out how Jesus didn't want people to spill the beans about his miracles..that we are to focus on Him and keep our mouths shut more! Blessings from nextdoor at #IntentionalTuesday

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  12. Guilty as charged. Unfortunately we don't get a do-over when we speak out of turn...actually when I speak out of turn. Forgive me Father... and help me to do better in this area. Thanks for the reminder, friend.

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  13. Another wonderful post, sweet friend. Oh, my, I know exactly how you feel. We mean well, but sometimes, we just don't think before we speak. So thankful for God's amazing grace...and the grace extended to me by so many others, too! Love you, dear Sharon.

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  14. I don't think any man can understand how we women can meet and cut to the chase so quickly learning bucket loads about our new girlfriends in just minutes. They're just not cut out that way. Yes, may the Holy Spirit close our mouths or open them at just the appropriate time so the Good News has the perfect chance to be effective. You are faithful friend to be able to keep confidences like that, Sharon, and not spoil the surprise except, of course, in sports!

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  15. So true; we tend to do exactly what we're supposed to do...

    The older I get the more I see our actions as one of the biggest testimonies we have and I don't have a problem sharing with anyone my hope, which means confidence, in He who has saved me.

    When we're prepared to give an answer for Him who sent us, it's amazing how quiet the usually blasphemous tongues find their way into knots faced with real Truth.

    Bruce Willis was dead?

    Kidding!

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  16. This was so timely for me. I recently put both feet in my mouth and I'm trying to figure out how to undo it!

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  17. Love your comment about being a human spoiler alert. Raising my hand! :) Some very good thoughts here.

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  18. Love this, Sharon. Let's use our motor mouths for His Kingdom purposes. :)

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  19. Sharon, oh Sharon!! You are something else and such a fine weaver of God's Truth into your tales and Sharon's-personal-stories! I once wrote a post about opening one's mouth. It was from a homeschooling family that I know: http://wp.me/p2sm5T-kM I think you will love it!

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  20. It is often difficult discerning when and how to speak up...how to communicate effectively without being off-putting.

    Thanks for reminding us of the need to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ!

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  21. I've been known to keep quiet at times too, but believe it or not words are very important to me. And using them for the greater good--to encourage, inspire, motivate--is my intention everyday. It doesn't always work, but I attempt to and I think that's worth it every time. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful reminder that words are powerful and must be used wisely. So glad you were able to join us on #shinebloghop this week :)

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  22. I find that I appear much less foolish when I listen more and talk less! And pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and prompt me when to speak. Great post, Sharon!

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  23. I seem to "spill the beans" a lot in conversation. Partly out of excitement, partly out of nerves. Thanks for this great insight.

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  24. We've been so conditioned by the culture that no one wants to hear the message, that we're attacking or have no right to "force our religion" on someone else. The truth is so different. Many people are hungry and desperately searching for truth, for the reality of Jesus we have. We can't let those vocal angry ones silence what God has done in our lives. Our testimonies are really what showcase who God is in this world today. Good thoughts, Sharon! Thank you.

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  25. I so enjoy your creative bent with your blog!

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  26. Thanks for keeping it real. I am amazed at the types of info. people will always share with others habitually, but how many of us are sharing the whole truth as we know it? What keeps us from doing so? Good food for thought. I am part of Five Minute Friday and stopping by for a visit.

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  27. IronIcally I spilled the beans on the new blog Barbie and I created ;). I think we've all spoken out of turn at one point or another, or said something aloud we wish we hadn't.
    The tongue is indeed hard to tame! I'm learning how to listen more, especially to my teen. When I want to add my two cents before she finishes stating her opinion...well I am definitely a work in progress!

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  28. What a well though out post, Sharon! I loved the pic of the beans upside down also. Honestly, the post was convicting as I have been guilty of similar times of spilling the beans. The one that hits most often is when I am talking with my son or grandson and make a comment about a sporting event on TV and find out they have DVR's it and not seen it yet. They now interrupt me if I mention a game and say they haven't seen it before I get more than a few words out.

    You're also right about how much I do or do not take advantage of moments to share a timely word about the Lord with someone when there is an opening I simply miss or one I don't take. Thanks for telling it like it is!

    Blessings on your weekend! Happy to be your neighbor at the Linkup!
    Pam

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  29. Thanks for sharing with us on Favorite Things Thursday!
    Cheers,
    Jennifer
    http://awellstyledlife.com

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  30. My pastor from back home mentioned these two possibilities. I had never thought about it until he preached on Jesus' ministry. I pray I have the courage when the time comes again to share the Gospel. Thank you for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.

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  31. Thank you for this reminder and encouragement, Sharon! Loved the picture of the beans and spilling the beans correlation. I thought it was great how you explained the 2 reasons why Jesus asked for people to not tell of His miracles. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

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  32. What a great comparison of your life that resulted in deeper study. Thanks for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot

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  33. Congrats! Your post was most viewed on Party at My Place last week. Will be shouting it out on Thursday.

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  34. Thank you so much for sharing this over at #bloggerspotlight link and Pin-it Party. I do appreciate it and hope to see you again! Pinned!

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  35. I have always enjoyed your humor and light-hearted posts that actually go to a deep place. I have been a spoiler alert at times too.. :). But I have often wondered why Jesus told people not to share their miracle. I like that you asked that question and took time to share and contemplate the answer.
    It is all about discernment isn't it? Knowing when and where to share what? Jesus had that. Of course.. as God and Man He had that, but with Him in us we have the ability to be led by Him and choose to follow His way.

    Thanks for sharing this at #GraceMoments, Sharon!
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)