Daily text, Thursday, March 23. 2017

[Queen Esther]

If the trumpet sounds an indistinct call, who will get ready for battle?—1 Cor. 14:8.

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2017/3/23

An indistinct trumpet call could be disastrous for an advancing army. In the same way, if our speech is unduly vague or indirect, it may well be confusing or misleading. (1 Cor. 14:9) Of course, in our effort to keep our words crisp and clear, we would not want to be blunt or tactless. Jesus set the finest example of appropriate word selection. Consider his short yet powerful discourse recorded in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Jesus did not use flowery or ambiguous speech; nor did he employ harsh or hurtful language. Instead, he chose clear, simple expressions to reach the hearts of his listeners. For example, to allay the people’s anxieties over their daily need for food, he referred to how Jehovah provides for the birds of heaven. Then, comparing his hearers to birds, he asked: “Are you not worth more than they are?” (Matt. 6:26) What a loving appeal in simple, understandable words that touch the heart! w15 12/15 3:13, 14