“Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things’” Matt 21:27

We have a very peculiar cultural rule; that if someone asks you a question, you have to answer that question. We seem to think we’re somehow obliged to answer, as though we’re permanently standing in some courtroom with a lawyer saying, “Answer the question please… and do remember, you’re under oath”.

But you’re not.

A valid answer to some questions is simply, “I don’t feel comfortable telling you that.”

In fact, I believe that many times, that is the best and most loving answer to give. It protects people, both the hearer and the speaker. It may even be protecting other people.

What’s the big theological principle behind this? Simply this… “everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Matt 12:36

You don’t have to answer every question you get asked, because you only have to answer to God.