19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Shut Up!
This proverb can be summarized in just two words. “Shut up!” Or more politely, “Be quiet.” The New Living Translation puts it this way:
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
How often do we say something to another person and wish that we hadn’t? Once spoken words are hard to take back, especially when they cause hurt. A word spoken in an angry moment can do significant and lasting damage. We need to be careful with our words. Sometimes it is wiser to say nothing.
Build up or tear down?
We can build or destroy both relationships and reputations by the way that we speak and the words that we use. But what about our own reputations? Are we known as being of few words or many? Are we prone to gossip, or are we people others can talk to in confidence? Surely it is better to excel at listening, rather than being known as a person who never stops talking?
Words of life
Jesus was an expert at knowing when to speak and when to listen. He provides an example in John 8 when the Pharisees try to trap Him into saying the wrong thing. Instead of responding immediately Jesus writes in the sand with His finger. When He does reply His words are so powerfully challenging that one by one the Pharisees turn and leave. Jesus knew that His chances of changing the way that the Pharisees thought was slim, so why waste words on them? Instead He chose His words carefully and a difficult situation was defused. The words that Jesus then used to the woman the Pharisees had accused were words of life.
We all have the same opportunity to build up or tear down. Do our words bring trouble, or can we follow the example set by Jesus and offer words of life to a hurting, damaged, and increasingly desperate world?
Chris Jordan
Daniel M. Klem
David
Grady Davidson
Jason Sneed
Nick
Anthony Baker
August 16th, 2012 at 2:14 am
A pastor friend of mine once told me this passage basically says, “Shut up and wise up or else you mess up.”
August 16th, 2012 at 2:36 am
Brilliantly stated in language that everyone can understand. A wise old sea dog taught me early in my career to say little and listen a lot every time I joined a new ship.
August 16th, 2012 at 6:27 am
I will say Amen, and let you young men do all the talking!
August 18th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
I was just talking with my daughter, Katie, about how to talk with people who disagree with us (atheists). The key is to never insult them or show disrespect. If anything, be self-depricating. No one wants to converse with a know-it-all, loud mouth who thinks he’s always right (even when he is). We will never win the lost by pushing them away with hurtful, condescending words.
August 18th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Very true Anthony. I find it useful sometimes to state what God has done in my life. They (atheists) can choose to believe or they can choose not to believe. I think the key is knowing when to speak and when to stay quiet. I have had some really encouraging conversations recently all of which came out of the blue, two of them in other countries.
August 18th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
A prime example is the “atheist” that has been responding on TheRecoveringLegalist.com. Even though my blood pressure has gotten up a couple of times, I have tried to keep my responses humble and respectful.
August 18th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
I saw the exchange on The Recovering Legalist! I read a book entitled ‘Permission Evangelism.’ A good example of this happened to me in Trinidad. I had a very early taxi ride to the airport. Taxi driver mentioned about the beautiful night sky, I responded with a comment about creation. He came back with “to understand creation you have to know the creator.” All the time he was waiting for me to respond. We ended up having a Bible study during the 30-minute journey to the airport. I learnt a lot from that man.