Simplicity in Revelation

“Truth is one, but error proliferates. Man tracks it down and cuts it up into little pieces hoping to turn it into grains of truth. But the ultimate atom will always essentially be an error, a miscalculation.”
Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“The finest language is mostly made up of simple unimposing words.” George Eliot
“Brevity is the soul of wit.”
William Shakespeare

“If you would be pungent, be brief; for it is with words as with sunbeams – the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.”
Robert Southey

Have you ever been in a situation where someone just would not stop talking? They ramble on and on, piling up details and digressions until you forget what the point was in the first place. That is exactly what happened at a business conference many years ago as one particular speaker stood out for all the wrong reasons. After a warm introduction, the speaker enthusiastically greeted the crowd. In her eagerness to connect with everyone, she started chatting about her busy week, funny mishaps with friends, the cute barista at her favorite coffee shop, and little details about her morning routine. Ten minutes in, the speaker circled back to the main point. Though well-intentioned, her attempt to engage with the audience resulted in an avalanche of needless preludes that smothered the nugget of truth like a buttercream frosting volcano swallowing a cupcake.

Restraining Wandering Speech
In an era characterized by a cacophony of voices vying for attention and truth often obscured by the noise, there is a profound longing for simplicity and clarity in revelation. The Bible cautions us about this tendency toward excessive speech. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent” (Proverbs 10:19, ESV). “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2, ESV). Why? Because when we are messengers of God’s truth, the message itself needs to shine and not ourselves or our wordiness. At the heart of effective communication of scriptures, prophetic words, or words of encouragement, lies the recognition of the inherent power and authority of God’s Word. As messengers tasked with proclaiming the Gospel, our authenticity becomes paramount, and Paul exhorts the Corinthians to speak “not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4, ESV). We must embody its transformative message in our words and actions.

Called to Faithful Stewardship
Think of it this way: We are stewards entrusted with a profound gift of sharing God’s words. It is a sacred trust and weighty responsibility. James admonishes, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19, ESV). When imparting revelation, we cannot just ramble and clutter the message with our own agendas. No, we must resist inserting ourselves and get out of the way, so God’s light can shine undimmed. It is like being a fortune cookie, you have got one delicious nugget of truth to share, so why smother it with a bunch of unnecessary words? Just open your mouth, speak what God has spoken, and trust that His truth will speak for itself. After all, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV). We are called to dispense these mysteries plainly, not adorn them with fine trappings, and, with discipline and care, we allow the Lord’s voice to resonate purely within, skillfully pruning for full harvest potential. “Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, ESV). As maturing stewards, we demonstrate trust in His truth by avoiding aimless asides and tangents. Our imperfect vessels need to get out of the way. The blessing and duty to share God’s imparted revelation is no small thing. We must handle such spiritual gems neither carelessly nor pridefully but with reverence, care, brevity, and humility. “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”
(2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV). Speak forth boldly as you ought, but speak with care, with truth and clarity undiluted. God’s words bear authority, requiring no defense. Open your mouth and let light pour forth, so that blinded eyes may finally see. “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15, ESV).

The Power of Simplicity
Why keep it simple? Because God said that His word “that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11, ESV). We can trust in the inherent power and authority of God’s words over our own and require no rhetorical fancy-dancing or lavish praise to stir hearts and minds. The phrasing, stripped of pride and pretense, can resonate if delivered in earnest faith. We bear witness to its inherent authority and power when we do not encumber it with our attempts to bolster or embellish it. Though our elaboration intends to validate the message we receive, it risks shifting focus onto the aesthetic form rather than the Spirit’s renewal. We must curb such restless wandering from the central truth. Paul writes, “My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4, ESV). We are fragile vessels through which God has chosen to pour His light. By exercising discipline in our communication, we allow His brilliant radiance to shine upon others unobstructed and shift focus to the Lord and His work, not ourselves.

The Trustworthiness of God’s Word
Why can we be so confident in the power of God’s Word? Because it is not some human construct: It is the very breath of the Almighty! 1 Peter 4:11, ESV says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” As the Psalmist declares, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7, ESV). Just let the Word speak for itself! Christ taught in simple parables and illustrations everyone could understand. “All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth” (Luke 4:22, ESV). Sometimes our efforts to expound muddies the waters and dilutes the impact. By allowing the Word to speak for itself, we honor its divine origin and trust its ability to accomplish its intended purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

Go Forth and Speak Well
As we share the revelations God entrusts us, let us embrace this sacred calling with utmost care. With profound reverence, may we restrain our tendencies toward excessive speech. Laying self aside, steward each word faithfully as obedient servants, not talkative busybodies overcomplicating the simple. The Lord’s lightning calls for conductive rods sunk deep in humility, not towering trees waving arms haphazardly. When assigned a message, we carry this power as a vigilant fuse aimed singularly at its destination. Though imperfect vessels, imperfection excuses neither negligence nor pride in this weighty charge guarding against distraction and excess. Imperfection is no excuse for negligence or apathy. If we bombard others with haphazard speech more focused on self than the Savior, how can we blame the listener for turning away unclear? Let us honor instead the sacred trust placed in unworthy hands. Conveying pure truth may require muzzling our mouths at times because restraint allows the unveiling of God’s glory.

Dear friends, go now with words or without, speak them or stay silent, but speak and move only with discipline, care, humility, and reverence. Allow no misguided sound unless certain it serves the soundless—even deaf ears detect disorder in the heart. Integrity married to compassion rarely fails to penetrate as we trade our voice for His. With gentleness, grace, and wisdom, share the gift God has given you. Dispense it not with doubt but faith. His Word is perfect in purpose long before your lips release its shape. So open up the gate! Unlock your mouth and let your humble obedience meet the bride of Christ’s long-awaited needs. Speak what the Lord Your God declares to you. The Spirit’s wind is blowing. Unfurl the sails, weigh anchor, and let His breath carry these words where they must go.