Your Speech Betrays You

We are citizens of a kingdom not of this earth, a kingdom that is everlasting, if we are truly Christians (2 Pet.1:10-12). While upon this earth we are indeed pilgrims and sojourners on our way home (1 Pet.2:11). As we journey, let us consider the following:

While Peter was warming his hands outside the courtyard while Jesus was being accused, a servant said to him, "No, but you are one of His disciples! Your speech betrays you!" At this Peter cursed and denied Christ (Mt.26:72-74).

His speech betrayed him because he was from the region of Galilee and his dialect/accent was evident of such. Seeing that they noted him for his identifying language of a certain region, he then changed his manner of speech to cursing as if an attempt to further prove his point that he was surely not one of His disciples. It is no secret that we are products of our environment; as products of our environment one of those things we carry with us is our accents and manner of speech. Our accent is something that could change over time, but it takes work. The same is true for our manner of speaking.


Have you ever noticed that when you're around people from a different locale for an extended period of time that you begin to talk a little like them? Use the same inflection on certain words like they do? Further, when you hang around those who use good speech, you pick up their manner of speaking, their good content, as well; the same is true when your influences, acquaintances, friends/family are such that use immoral and sinful language. Thus, again, we are products of our environment and so we must be mindful of where, and with whom, we spend our time because sooner or later we will speak/think like them.

Have you ever heard a person from the north (U.S) try to use an expression from the south (U.S)? It sounds funny doesn't it? Or what about hearing English words spoken with a thick foreign accent? This can sometimes be very difficult to understand because we hear uncertain sounds.

Do we see the spiritual application yet?

When we claim to be citizens of God's eternal kingdom, yet we speak words that are of the world - lies, deceit, hypocrisy, gossip, backbiting, wrathful words, etc - then we give uncertain sounds to all who hear us. When we become Christians we change our allegiance from satan’s rulership to the everlasting kingdom of Christ; we speak His language. Our spiritual man desires to return to God, yet our carnal man seeks to do that which pleases the flesh (Rom.7:21-25). There is a constant battle between the two and we must cover ourselves up with the goodness of God's word, wearing His armor, and living in His ways so that we may be able to combat these forces of evil about us every day (Rom.13:12-14; Eph.6:10-17).

Back to our analogy of accent vs words. When we leave the land of sin behind, as we become Christians and citizens of the kingdom of God, we must also leave the manner of speech of the old land behind as well. We cannot claim to be a citizen of God's kingdom, the kingdom of light - speak with the accent of that heavenly land - and then still speak with the speech of the world (words of darkness).

Furthermore, we cannot - though many may try - serve two masters (Mt.6:24). Our speech must be that of the Father and it must reflect His righteousness, we must immerse ourselves in His word so that our manner of speech will be fitting as He has commanded. Our citizenship is in heaven, therefore we must speak the language of the land that is our home of the soul.

Peter, a follower of Christ, insisted that he was not Jesus' disciple; yet his speech (his accent) betrayed him. When this was brought to his attention, Peter changes his manner of speech (his words) into that which was sinful in order to appear different. How often are we like Peter during this point in his life?

We take stands that are ever so strong, yet when it really matters and the world is staring us down, we fold and we try to blend in with those who are evil. We as citizens of the Kingdom of Light somehow think that we can go and try to reclaim our citizenship back to another kingdom, the kingdom of darkness, from which we removed our citizenship and think that all will be well. Friends, that is foolishness.

Oftentimes we claim to be followers of Christ, but our speech betrays us as we try to speak like the world instead of our Father in heaven. The Lord knows His own, and as His we must speak His language. We must speak "as the oracles of God" and not let the world take hold of us again (1Pet.4:11; Gal.4:8-10). Our old man is dead, we are new creatures through baptism, raised to walk in newness of life. Have we soiled our garments with the dead man of sin? Then, let's repent and get busy as citizens of God's eternal kingdom doing His will. Are we not yet citizens of the kingdom? Then let's become such by being buried with Christ in baptism and be raised with Him, coming up out of that water, to walk in newness of life (Rom.6:1-12).

The good news of this account is that Peter learned his lesson after denying Christ, just as Jesus said he would (Lk.22:31-32).

Here is the proof:

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." ~1 Pet. 2:11-12

We are not to be as those of this earth if we call ourselves after Christ. Our lives and our manner of speech must match that of our Savior if we intend to enter that rest when this life is over. Does our speech betray us, are we seeking to speak like our dead man of the old country of sin, or has our speech been renewed, do we speak in the language of our heavenly Father? Will we learn the lesson that Peter did and will we follow his admonition? Choose this day who you will serve, and may we all speak as our Lord speaks through His word as true citizens of His eternal kingdom.