With His Emphasis, With His Spirit
The right ingredients only matter when infused with the right touch—so it is when Christ’s Spirit seasons our speech.
📚 Devotional Credit
Insights from In Christ by E. Stanley Jones.
📸 Photo Credit
Image credit: Unsplash
E. Stanley Jones returns us to the heart of authentic Christian expression—speaking in Christ. He draws from Paul’s reminder in 2 Corinthians 12:19, “It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ,” to emphasize that every word we speak is either aligned with Christ’s indwelling presence or not. Speaking in Christ isn’t just about quoting Scripture or saying the right things—it’s about speaking with Christ’s emphasis and Christ’s spirit.
We may say true words, even noble words, but if they don’t carry His spirit, they miss the mark. Christ never used empty slogans or hollow symbols—His words were His deeds, and His deeds were His words. They weren’t props for effect. They were unified, living expressions of His nature.
Jones tells us that we must saturate ourselves in the New Testament to understand Jesus’ emphasis, not because we are trying to mimic Him, but because His life now lives in us and expresses itself through us. Our focus is not on imitation but participation—abiding in Him and yielding to His voice within. That’s what it means to speak in Christ. Not just accurately, but tenderly. Not just doctrinally, but with life. The right spirit matters as much as the right sentence.
This devotion gently reminds us that our communication—especially spiritual communication—is to be more than correct. It is to be Christlike. And that begins by yielding moment by moment to the One who lives in us.
📓 Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, I have not asked you to speak for Me—I have invited you to speak in Me. For you are in Christ, and Christ is in you, and this union is not for silence but for expression. Let your words flow from your abiding, not from your striving. I do not require eloquence. I desire faithfulness. Speak as one seated with Me, not as one striving to earn Me.
You will discern My emphasis as your mind is renewed by My Word. The more you dwell in what I’ve spoken, the more your heart will resonate with what I am speaking. My emphasis is life, not law—grace, not guilt—truth wrapped in love. Saturate yourself in the Word, not to master it, but to let it master you gently and shape your thoughts.
And do not forget My Spirit. You can speak true things in a spirit of pride, control, or fear. But I dwell in gentleness, patience, and peace. I speak through those who yield, not those who impress. Even the world can hear the difference. A soft word from an abiding heart carries more weight than a loud word from a restless soul.
As you go about your day, remember: every text, every reply, every glance or greeting is an opportunity for My life to speak through you. You are not alone in this. I am the One who speaks through you when you surrender. Speak with My emphasis, and speak with My Spirit. This is what it means to speak in Christ.
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 12:19; Colossians 3:16–17; John 15:4–5; Ephesians 4:29–32; 1 Peter 4:11; Galatians 5:22–25; Romans 6:11–13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13; Romans 12:2
🔍 Real-Life Analogy
Imagine someone seasoning a soup. They’ve followed the recipe exactly—down to the gram—but they dump in the salt without tasting, stirring, or noticing the balance. It ends up tasting sharp, uninviting. Another cook takes the same ingredients but seasons gently, thoughtfully, with love. Same elements—very different outcome.
In our speech, it's not just what is said that matters, but how—and from whom. When we yield to Christ, even a correction is seasoned with grace. A greeting carries warmth. A hard truth becomes a healing balm. This very day, in a text or conversation, pause within, and surrender—not to say the perfect thing, but to let Christ speak through you. A gentle response to an impatient coworker… a kind answer to a probing question… a quiet prayer before a tense meeting. Whisper to Him: “Lord, I trust You to speak through me with Your tone, not mine.”
🙏 Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that I no longer speak on my own. You’ve placed Christ in me not just to live but to speak through me. Thank You for the Word that renews my mind, and for the Spirit who makes that Word alive in my mouth. Today, I rest in Your sufficiency. I trust that even my tone can bear Your touch when I abide. My words are Yours—whether in speech, text, or silence. Thank You for making me a vessel, not a performer. I rejoice that even my smallest conversations can carry eternal weight when they come from You.