Two perfect one-word sentences …

I don’t know how many “perfect” sentences there are that a person could speak, but I do know two of them.

Ready?

The first sentence is this:

“Yes.”

The other sentence is this:

“No.”

Why are these two single-word sentences “perfect”? When you know a person reasonably well and they use either of these sentences, they convey:

Integrity. You know when this person says either of these sentences, they mean what they say.

Trust. When this person speaks either of these sentences, you know you can trust their response.

Clarity. By using either of these sentences, the person “cuts to the chase” and is perfectly concise with their response. There’s no doubt about what they mean.

Maturity. The immature or insecure often don’t settle for these being complete sentences but will add a “but” and “or” or “maybe” or bury the real truth of their answer in the use of many words.

When you make “yes” or “no” a complete sentence, without hedging, and without feeling like you need to explain your answer, you demonstrate integrity, trustability, clarity, and healthy maturity. It’s no wonder that Jesus teaches us to communicate like this:

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one,” Matthew 5:33-37.

Did you catch that last part of what Jesus said?

” … Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”

When our “yes” or “no” is really conditional rather than definite, we’re being dishonest, untrustworthy, not speaking clearly, and acting immaturely.

Imagine the impact it could have on your relationships if the people in your life knew that when you say either “yes” or “no” that’s a complete sentence demonstrating from you your integrity, trustability, clarity of position, and mature thinking.

Scotty