He is mature enough to answer for himself

He still needs someone else to answer for him

He is too young to understand the question

Ask the person involved and let them answer

Repeat what others have said until the picture feels complete

Decide the matter from a distance and move on

Wait for someone else to speak so you do not have to

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. Open my eyes to who you are and to the truth about my life. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord and Savior. Let me belong to you and speak for you with a new heart. Amen.

Open My Eyes, Lord Jesus

Lord, revive your Church. Free us from fear, secondhand faith, and careless speech; make us people who know what you have done and can tell it plainly. Give us humility when we do not know, courage when we do, and love that points others to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Church That Bears Its Own Witness

Pray by naming one situation where you need to stop guessing and ask the person involved directly. Ask God for a calm tone, a listening ear, and enough humility to hear the answer.

Ask the Right Person

Bring these before God: times you have spoken about someone without hearing them; any habit of filling in gaps with assumptions; a desire to let truth come from the right person.

Repent of Speaking Too Soon

Pray for people whose voices are often ignored or doubted: that they would be heard, that truth would come to light, and that you would be gentle enough to listen well.

For Those Whose Voices Are Overlooked

Thank God for honest people who admit what they know and what they do not know; thank him for the gift of direct answers; thank him for truth that does not need embellishment.

Thanks for Honest Answers

πῶς{POS###POHS###how} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} νῦν{NEEN###NEEN###now} βλέπει{VLE-pee###VLEH-pee###he sees} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} οἴδαμεν{EE-DA-men###EE-DAH-men###we know} ἢ{EE###EE###or} τίς{TEES###TEES###who} ἤνοιξεν{EE-nee-ksen###EE-nee-ksehn###opened} αὐτοῦ{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###his} τοὺς{toos###toos###(the)} ὀφθαλμοὺς{of-thal-MOOS###ohf-thahl-MOOS###eyes} ἡμεῖς{ee-MEES###ee-MEES###we} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} οἴδαμεν{EE-DA-men###EE-DAH-men###(we) know} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TON###him} ἐρωτήσατε{e-ro-TEE-sa-te###eh-ro-TEE-sah-teh###ask} ἡλικίαν{ee-lee-KEE-an###ee-lee-KEE-ahn###of age} ἔχει{E-khee###EH-khee###is} αὐτὸς{af-TOS###ahf-TOHS###he} περὶ{pe-REE###pe-RIH###about} ἑαυτοῦ{e-af-TOO###eh-ahf-TOO###himself} λαλήσει{la-LEE-see###lah-LEE-see###(he) will speak}

John 9:21 — FormalTAB

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