What Would Jesus Do?
“He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his peace.”
Proverbs 11:12
“A man of understanding…”
We all have people we don’t like. But what we do with that shows who and what we are. How we behave toward those we don’t like says much about our character. The human thing to do is to criticize them and express our disdain for them, and worse - gossip about them. We fancy that we are better than them ...and perhaps we are ...that’s not the point. The point is that the believer represents Christ before the world, and we need to keep that in mind ESPECIALLY when we are around those we do not like. Kindness speaks more about us than all the preaching in the world.
vs 13:
“A talebearer reveals secrets,
but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”
“A faithful spirit…”
Faithful to whom? To the one who has revealed a secret to us? Well yes, we are faithful if we do not share that secret with others. But how much more is our faithfulness revealed when we keep in mind that it is to God that we are being faithful? There is a saying “What would Jesus do?” If we want to follow Jesus Christ, everything we say, everything we do, must be done in the context of this question, “What would Jesus do?”
Many times what Jesus would do is “hold his peace.” What do I gain by speaking against the one I don’t like? Nothing. Absolutely nothing is gained. All that results is a black mark on my soul. When we are with someone we don’t like, the temptation to voice our disapproval can be great. To answer them back after a hurtful remark comes almost automatically. But if we want to be true and faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we hold our peace. We silence our tongue. We keep in mind that Jesus died even for this one whom we dislike. We maintain our behavior as he would, and we choose not to grieve the Holy Spirit within us.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.
The tongue is so set among our members
that it defiles the whole body,
and sets on fire the course of nature;
and it is set on fire by hell.”
James 3:6
In my prayer time one day, I was complaining to the Lord about how offended I was by something someone said, and how intensely I dislike her.”
He answered me, “I love her.” What a sting to my heart. But I learned from it.
Many times silence is the best option. It takes wisdom and understanding of the Word of God to motivate us to reply – or not reply – as Jesus would. It takes wisdom that doesn’t come naturally. It has to be sought after, by spending time daily in the Word of God, and seeking the will of God in our lives.
Oh what damage Satan can bring about simply by tempting us to sin with our words! Maybe we don’t commit murder, maybe we don’t steal, but to sin with our words is just as sinful. Our words can destroy a person. Let us always be aware whom we represent, that we might not sin against anyone with hateful words or judgments, or criticisms. Let us ever answer the temptation with “What would Jesus do?”
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
keeps his soul from troubles.”
Proverbs 21:23
Lady Maillet,
This reflection beautifully reminds us that Christlikeness is most clearly revealed not in our public virtues, but in our private restraints. Scripture consistently teaches that wisdom is often expressed through holy restraint; the courage to remain silent when the flesh longs to react. Jesus Himself embodied this: “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23). Silence, in that sense, is not weakness but Spirit-governed strength.
What stands out here is the shift from self-justification to representation. As believers, we do not merely speak for ourselves; we represent Christ. That truth reframes every interaction, especially with those who wound, irritate, or provoke us. Holding one’s peace is not denial of hurt; it is a conscious surrender of our right to retaliate, trusting God as both defender and judge (Romans 12:19).
The personal prayer moment you shared is particularly powerful. God’s simple reply, “I love her”, cuts to the heart of the gospel. It confronts our selective compassion and exposes how easily we forget that the cross was extended even to those we struggle to love. In that moment, grace corrects us more deeply than condemnation ever could.
James is right: the tongue carries disproportionate power. Words can either participate in God’s redemptive work or echo the destructive patterns of the enemy. Choosing silence when tempted to speak harm is an act of worship; an offering laid before God that says, “I trust You with this.”
This is not passive spirituality; it is disciplined discipleship. It requires immersion in Scripture, sensitivity to the Spirit, and a willingness to die daily to ego. May we increasingly be people whose restraint speaks louder than our reactions, and whose silence reflects the gentleness and authority of Christ.
Blessings,
Ze Selassie
Amen...