He wasn’t half as smart as he thought he was, and that wasn’t half as smart as he bragged he was.”
–Robert Peecher (Along the Restless Trail)
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.”
–James 3:5 (NKJV)
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“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” –Proverbs 10:19(NKJV)
“Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” –Proverbs 10:19(NLT)
I happened to be talking to my eldest granddaughter the other night. She told me that she has been spending more time listening to others; it’s amazing what you can learn. I simply replied, “wise thinking.” It’s right out of Proverbs. There is much danger in the way we talk, the tone of our talk, and the words that come out of our mouths. The purpose and motives of our speech must also be taken into consideration. The words of James should ring out, “So, then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (1:19, NKJV) In fact, he gives the warning, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” (1:26, NKJV)
Have you ever thought, “I wish I’d kept my mouth shut,” or “I wish I hadn’t said that”? The tongue is important. It is a medium of expression and communication. It is of value to express needs, wants, and desires. It is needed in many types of transactions. But there is also a time to keep silent. Your tongue is a prime example of who you are, James continues to say, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (3:10, NKJV) Bob Beasley tells us, “As the old self in use is crucified, and the new self is given a new desire and perspective, we should produce godly speech.”
Before speaking out we should ask ourselves: is it kind, is it true, is it profitable, is it necessary, is it godly? This does not even include cursing, profanity and the like. The theologian Samuel Miller said, “A man of inordinate talk runs inordinate risk.” His words may come home to roost. And know this, that words most often will not change a hard heart or a hard head. “Silence is wisdom when we feel that speech would be useless to convince.” (Flores) There are some people you could not convince no matter what you say.
A word of warning can be seen in the example of Aaron and Miriam when they spoke against Moses taking an Ethiopian wife. They became very arrogant, and spoke very rudely and sarcastically. God became very angry with them, and came down calling Aaron and Miriam to Him. We read this account in Number 12, “So the anger of the LORD was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow.” (9-10, NKJV) Aaron reacted and said in verse 11, “…we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.” The words went up before God and caused Him to become angry. Think of that–our words can make the holy Almighty God angry.
One more little thought. Some people just talk to be talking. Ever been around them? They say very little with all their verbosity and with little regard to who they were speaking or what they were saying–they just babbled on. Their words are like “a sword in the hand of a madman.” (Flores) On and on and saying nothing. Perhaps you have been in a meeting where the same person keeps repeating the same thing and the meeting is going nowhere simply because they cannot keep a bridle on their lips.