Think and Speak for Peace

“Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; and do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,” says the Lord.
– Zechariah 8:16–17 –

When all we care about is winning arguments, we end up speaking all kinds of falsehood. When all we care about is accumulating wealth and power, then we spin the truth in our favor, slander our neighbor, and take advantage of the weak. In order to receive the decisions we want from our judges and the laws we want from our politicians, we present ourselves in the best light and cast others in the worst. We blame other people for wrongs they do not commit, and deny wrongdoings we do commit. In this way we assault peace. We cause division, and God hates it.

Our God commands truth, justice, and peace. He does not care if we win a debate. He cares that we love our neighbor. Not simply with our words and actions but also in the depths of our hearts the Lord desires “truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6). Devising sinful plans in the quiet of our minds will eventually sprout into action. Thinking evil against our neighbor leads to speaking evil against our neighbor, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

Fear God, therefore, and speak truth to your neighbor. Remember that someday you will stand before Him. All lies will be exposed. All webs of deceit will unravel. Whatever falsehood we used to serve ourselves in this life will not work on judgment day. The Lord knows the truth. He loves justice. He delights in peace. So let us speak truth, render justice, and labor for peace. What He loves is what matters. Being pleasing to Him is the only thing we will care about on the last day.