PROVERBS 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

THEME OF THE DAY. BE CAREFUL OF MANY WORDS. It is a sure thing because the Bible, and particularly, today’s scripture tells us it is a sure thing. If we must always give an opinion in a conversation; if we must always strive to have the last word in any heated dialogue; and if we exercise our tongues more than our ears, it is guaranteed we are going to sin. King Solomon is direct. Talk a lot and sin would be present. And along with this truth, the king gives an implied and flawed character trait in a person who simply talks a lot. Pay attention to the contrast he makes. He is saying, “If you just have to talk and that a lot, your lack of “tongue” restraint shows lack of prudence and that means you lack wisdom and self-control.” So, what are some things we may do to help avoid falling into sin due to having a loose and uncontrolled tongue that lets go many words?

First, confess our inability to control the tongue. No human being has the power to avoid “tongue” sins. The Apostle James reminds us – Also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:5-8). We must really believe this. If we don’t, we will and that during a heated and emotionally-charged conversation. And if we really think about, we do believe we cannot control our tongue and the evidence is this . . . was there ever a conversation that in looking back, we said words we would like to take back? Yes, we do believe tongue-control is humanly impossible.

The next step is logical. If we believe the ability to restraint our words is beyond us, like all things in the Christian life, we seek God’s help. We pray. And one of the shortest, yet most direct and powerful prayers in seeking God’s help to limit our words comes from David – Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3). The language David uses is desperate revealing his dependency as well as that of a military setting; a sentry, a watchman standing duty with vigilance and alertness. Combined, we may conclude that the issue of our speech is an area of spiritual warfare. A man or woman of many words, a Mr. or Ms. Talkative, will guarantee two sad outcomes. First, we will sin. Solomon warns of this truth. And we will tarnish our reputation and representation of Jesus. To talk more and listen less is a sign of insensitivity and as far away from the character of Jesus as one may be.

Be careful of many words. May the Lord help us to do so by acknowledging our inability and relying upon His ability.

PRAYER: “Father, put a guard on my heart that my mouth may be wise in speaking.”

QUOTE: “Always have to give an opinion, have the last word, or just talk a lot, and sinning is inevitable.”