Speak Clearly

"Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil." - Matthew 5:37 
  
There was a young Christian couple in their twenties that took a trip to Amsterdam, excited to explore a new city. When they checked into their hotel, they asked an elderly couple for recommendations on things to do. The older couple shared some great ideas—the canal cruise, the Van Gogh Museum, and even the Anne Frank tour. But they ended their suggestions with a strange warning: "Whatever you do, you don’t want to go to the red-light district."

The young couple had never heard the term before and assumed it must be some sort of light show or tourist attraction. Their curiosity was piqued. They told the other young couple they were traveling with to meet them there at sundown, expecting to see something exciting. But when they arrived, they were shocked.  

Instead of a light show, they found themselves in the middle of a district where people were openly shopping for sex. Crowds filled the streets, and the sight of it all deeply disturbed them. One of the young women, who had a painful history connected to what they saw, had a trauma response that ruined the entire day.
 
Back at the hotel, they confronted the elderly couple. "Why didn’t you just tell us what the red-light district was? Why be so vague when it led to such an upsetting experience for us?" The older couple was confused, saying, “We told you not to go!” But the young couple explained, “We didn’t know what that meant! You should’ve just said it plainly.”  

This story shows the importance of clear communication. The elderly couple, coming from a generation where certain topics were taboo, felt uncomfortable saying the words, but their lack of clarity led to confusion and hurt.  

In life, it's easy to assume that people will read between the lines, but not everyone does. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:37 to be clear with our words—let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. When we are vague, especially in situations where understanding is crucial, we risk causing unnecessary pain.  

Sometimes, it’s uncomfortable to be direct, but clear communication can save others from hurt and confusion. So, whether you're giving advice or sharing important truths, speak clearly. You never know who might be relying on your words to find their way.