PROVERBS 10:19 – “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
THEME OF THE DAY: TALK A LOT, SIN A LOT. Today’s scripture is one of those causing us to stop, ponder, and maybe feel a little uncomfortable. The Old Testament book of Proverbs has a way of going right to the heart. It pulls no punches. It doesn’t cut corners. It is not afraid to call us foolish if we trust ourselves, a sluggard if we are lazy, and, in today’s scripture, headed to sin if we have to talk a lot in conversations.
When it comes to our tongue or our speech, we must reaffirm our inability to control our tongues. James instructs us of this reality and unless we are convinced of our desperate need of divine help to control our speech, we will repeatedly experience today’s scripture sad result – speech sin.
“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So 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. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water” (James 3:2-12).
Our speech is one of those areas that give us an immediate and accurate assessment of our spiritual condition. The Apostle Paul directs us to have speech that always edifies, builds up, is wholesome and full of grace (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6). If we find ourselves with an uncontrolled tongue, prone to impulsiveness in our speech, and more worldly than holy, regardless on what we think or say, our walk with the Lord Jesus is not healthy. And the result of such an uncontrolled tongue is not only today’s result but a damaged reputation as a Christian.
There is something else about speech beyond the quality. It is the emphasis in today’s scripture. The quantity of our words in conversations. We can also do great damage to our testimony for Christ if we are excessive in our speech. If we are prone to dominate conversations, quickly interrupt others, and “must” have the last word, then the reputation we build is one of self-centeredness. Normally a person who dominates conversations fills the air with words about themselves – the epitome of a selfish life, not a Christ-centered life.
So, talk a lot, sin a lot. Strong warning from Solomon. May the Lord help us to rely upon Him to enable us to be wise and restrain our tongues, not let loose our tongues.
PRAYER: Father, put a restraint on my tongue for in and of myself, I cannot control the quality of my speech.
REFLECTION: Talk more than listen, and we quickly build a reputation of self-centeredness.