Read Luke 7:12–15

Tact graces a life like fragrance graces a rose. One whiff of those red petals erases any thought of the thorns.

Tact is like that.

It’s remarkable how peaceful and pleasant it can make us. Its major goal is avoiding unnecessary offence...and that alone ought to make us desire it. Remember the teacher you had who lacked tact? Learning was sacrificed daily on the altar of fear. You wondered each session if that was the day you’d be singled out and embarrassed through some verbal put-down in front of the class.

Remember the boss you worked for who lacked tact? You never knew if he ever understood you or considered you to be a valuable employee.

And who could forget that tactless physician? You weren’t a human being, you were Case 36—a body with a blood pressure of 120/70...height 5'7"...weight 160...a history of chronic ailments...stones in your gall bladder. Everything spoken in perfect monotone as he glared grimly at his iPad. Brilliant, capable, experienced, dignified, respected...and tactless.

Our words are important, especially when we communicate truth—the glorious message of Christ and His love. The tactless approach of judgmental words and exposing the harsh realities of sin and depravity without compassionately describing the tender mercies of God, sadly, keeps lost people lost, and seekers turning the other way.

Let’s instead follow the example of Jesus:

A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! (Luke 7:12–15)

Jesus was much more than tactful—He was compassionate and caring with His words and His ways. How about being both today when presented with an opportunity to speak the truth in His name?

Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord...Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The full devotional can be purchased at https://www.tyndale.com/p/good-morning-lord-can-we-talk/9781414380681.