The Christian “Maybe”
Matthew 5:37 – “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
When we are asked to do something that we WANT to do, we will usually answer with an immediate “Yes”. If we are asked to do something we DO NOT want to do, we SHOULD reply with an immediate “No”. However, most of the time, we don’t want to hurt feelings or be confrontational, so we say…”maybe.”
When I was a salesman, I learned that “maybe” usually means…NO. 90% of the time when someone says “maybe,” they really mean “no”. I have a problem with “maybe”. And apparently Jesus isn’t too fond of “maybe”, either! ”Maybe” is usually just a put off. It’s a way to get people off your back. It removes the pressure of making a decision.
I am learning that, in the church, people tend to replace “maybe” with “I’ll pray about it.” Somehow it makes “maybe” seem more spiritual. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with praying about stuff. Especially big decisions.
However, do you really need to pray? Or are you just saying that because you don’t want to let someone down with your answer?
If it’s the latter, then just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’
