Jumping off of a Bridge

This picture reminds me of something my mother would ask me and my brother.

Mom would sometimes ask me or my brother Russell a question if we said, “everyone is doing… this or that,” She would ask, “If everyone was jumping off of a bridge, would you do that?” It was her way of telling us to think and remember that usually the crowd isn’t the group to follow for most life decisions.

When something is spontaneous it can either be very good or very bad. The actions, words, or emotions can be traced back to the heart. This can include things like giving a gift or punching someone in the face. Spontaneous combustion is a very dangerous type of fire.

Actions that are spontaneous reveal the heart.
Spontaneous Combustion reveals what was really true about what was present: heat, air, and combustible matter.

An action that is spontaneous is often something that is done as a sudden impulse without premeditation. Words similar to spontaneous include, impromptu, extemporaneous, impulsive, instinctive, impetuous, unpremeditated, and spur-of-the-moment. It is sometimes known as “off-the-cuff”, or “shooting from the hip”, and is frequently unthinking, rash, hasty, ill-considered, reckless, and foolhardy.

Spontaneity if fun, but at the wrong times it can be dangerous and deadly.

Extemporaneous Impromptu Speaking

An impromptu speech is a speech that you have to make without much or any time to prepare. In life, this can happen when you attend special events, like weddings or celebrations. In school, teachers use impromptu speeches as homework assignments to help you develop communication skills and to help you prepare for those future life surprises.

When I was in high school, one of the things we had to do was giving an impromptu speech. You can learn about a person by asking them impromptu questions. One of the things that might be revealed is what is actually in their heart, what is a priority, and where they find purpose.

What is in the heart? What is there is what comes out.

How About Spontaneous Worship?

Solomon says a person should enter worship with thoughtful steps, speech, and a heart that isn’t quick to spill out repetitious, unthinking words. “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 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. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

Spontaneous Mouths are an Indicator

What is in your heart is reveals reality of the person.

You can tell a lot about a person by what comes out of their mouths when they are being spontaneous. So what does your spontaneous speech say about you? Is there thought given before speaking? Do you prepare what you will say and how you will say it from a heart of love and wisdom?

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” Proverbs 15:28

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” Matthew 12:33-35

“Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:17-20

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

They don’t respond to every Facebook post that might be wrong or unkind with similar stubborn unkindness. They seek to respond, speak, and act in a way that is spontaneous when it comes to good, and not spontaneous when it comes to evil. They are, therefore, wise, and judicious in life whether planned or spontaneous.

 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” Proverbs 10:19

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.