Do you use too many words?


 Proverbs 17:27--Too many words. Proverbs really frowns on that (Proverbs 10:19). It's sometimes called reckless speech (Proverbs 12:18), or a clamorous tongue (Proverbs 21:23). 

The New Covenant cautions us to be alert to the use of our tongue as well. Keeping our words wholesome and beneficial (Ephesians 4:29), full of grace (Colossians 4:6), gentle (Titus 3:2). So many other passages.

Face it, there really are times when we must put some energy into what we're saying. It would seem, based on the whole of Scripture, it's not that often.

How do we know when to restrain our words--to remain calm?

Today's proverb says that knowledge and discernment are the keys to restraining our words.

When I think of knowledge in this context, I think of experience. When we pay attention to previous outcomes to our outbursts or use of too many words (which usually means we're trying to defend our position), we can learn.

Those lessons hard won through trial and error can feed into our discernment for future events.

For me, I try to pay attention to my physical responses. Increased heart rate, increased respiration. It's our body's way of telling us we're preparing for a fight. If my goal is to fight and there's a "life-or-death" situation, then I need to proceed wisely and carefully.

However, if my need to fight is because I'm offended or want to prove I'm right or feel I'm not being heard, then I need to dial it back. Breathe. Adjust my body. Maybe even step away.

Discernment can be supernatural--GOD gives us insights into how to handle a situation. Or discernment is applying prudence and self-control. Knowing what we say or do at that moment can have serious repercussions--positive or negative--is part of using that discernment muscle.

Just know that when we error on the side of caution, we can always address the issue at another time. If we error on the side of unrestrained words, we have double-duty in cleaning up and addressing the valid issue--which generally takes a lot more time.

May we use restraint and discernment when speaking, my friends.

Proverbs 17:27--One with knowledge restrains his words, and a discerning person stays calm. Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV#tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Are you being diverted? Proverbs 4:27

Image
Are you being diverted? TODAY'S PROVERB: Do not turn to the right or to the left. Divert your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27 I love flying at night. It's a vivid perspective of just how small we really are. Looking at the expanse of the sky with its stars is peaceful, stable. Gazing below at the man-made lights that glow with seemingly brighter intensity. But, that glow is temperamental. Subject to the frailties of humanity and technology, and believe it or not, dependent upon the grace of God. This verse reminds me that until we rise above our humanity, we'll be diverted from the bigness of the Creator of the Universe. It seems our world offers a plethora of distractions. They don't have to be evil, they simply have to be distractions that lead to diverting us from God's calling and purpose in our life. Like the bright city lights, they can drown out the still, small pinpricks of true light from the stars. Until we rise above. What are some of the distract...
Read more

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Are you a voice for God's covenant? Proverbs 2:16-17

Image
Are you a voice for God's covenant? TODAY'S PROVERB: ...to deliver you from a seducing woman—a wayward wife with seductive words, who forsakes the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. Proverbs 2:16-17 Infidelity. The last few generations tend to think infidelity was something they created. For certain they have developed it into an art form using film, music, literature, and now, social media. Throughout Scrip ture and history, women have played as much of a role in this sin as men. Honestly, as women, we should know better. These days, women tend to look at fornication and adultery as their rights -- their choice. We can justify and defend all we want, but the truth is that it all boils down to this: our choice is whether we sin or don't sin. Not a popular thing to say. There's nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Humanity has been sinning since the Garden. And infidelity has the same patterns and outcomes as it did thousands of y...
Read more

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Are you lame or reliable? Proverbs 25:19

Image
Are you lame or reliable? TODAY'S PROVERB: Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is confidence in the unfaithful in time of trouble. Proverbs 25:19 I have a "trick" ankle. There appears to be no rhyme or reason when it decides to give out. I'll take a step and it's like the bones turn to rubber. A misstep on stairs or a ladder or while carrying something can be treacherous. If I knew what caused the weakness then I could avoid  placing demands on it. But, alas, I don't know, so I can never fully trust it. Today's proverb counsels us about "trick ankle" people. Do you have people like this in your life? For the most part, they are reliable, but at unpredictable -- and inevitably important moments -- they are not reliable. Even when we forgive them for these events, we're still unsure if we can depend on them. It leaves a small residue on our ability to trust them completely -- at least for a season. My ankle is a vivid reminder of the import...
Read more