A LITTLE TOO MUCH TALK
Some things come around full circle. And it’s interesting how the lessons of the past can become so perfect for the here and now. Today let’s talk about “opinions”. Oh, we all have them for sure! But how we speak them or whether we say them at all is something worth talking about!
When my children were little one of the Bible verses I asked them to memorize was Proverbs 3:7.
DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES, FEAR THE LORD AND TURN AWAY FROM EVIL.
I hoped to teach and impress upon them the importance of not being “too big for your britches” as my Daddy used to teach me!
Well, they were not the only ones memorizing this pearl of godly wisdom. I took it to heart too.
And lately, God has been working on me again to not be too wise in my own eyes but in a bit of a different way.
I’ve been overwhelmed by the freedom people speak their opinion. Any opinion! The good, the bad and the very very ugly!
And I must say that one of my biggest pet peeves is a person that is a know-it-all!
I bet you know that person I’m talking about, the one who just has to weigh in on every conversation with such authority, and honestly, they love to hear themself talk!
UGH! I have a hard time loving and listening to someone like that. I mostly want to roll my eyeballs.
Yes, we all have opinions but I think we should ask ourselves, “do I need to give my two-cents to every conversation”?.
Ephesians 4:29 says…
LET NO UNWHOLESOME TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH BUT ONLY THAT WHICH IS HELPFUL FOR BUILDING OTHERS UP ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN.
I’ve been really praying about and evaluating the importance of what I am saying. Especially when it comes to giving my opinion.
And here’s what I feel the Lord has been speaking into my life…
I may have tons of opinions but I don’t have to voice them. Not all of them! That’s it! The bottom line! And it is freeing!
I don’t need an opinion on every topic. Especially ones that are controversial or heated. I can let my opinion be no opinion!
God says…
WHOEVER KEEPS HIS MOUTH AND HIS TONGUE KEEPS OUT OF TROUBLE. Pro 21:23
WHOEVER RESTRAINS HIS WORDS HAS KNOWLEDGE, AND HE WHO HAS A COOL SPIRIT IS A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING Pro 17:27
KNOW THIS, MY BELOVED BROTHERS: LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO ANGER James 1:9
And God has so so much more to say about the way we speak and our opinions!!!!
A SOFT WORD TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A HARSH BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER Pro 15:1
And Jesus said…
WHAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH PROCEEDS FROM THE HEART AND DEFILES A MAN Matt 15:8
Let’s look at one of my favorite verses about our mouth and its opinions…
Jesus said…
THE GOOD PERSON OUT OF THE GOOD TREASURE OF HIS HEART PRODUCES GOOD, AND THE EVIL PERSON OUT OF THE EVIL TREASURE OF HIS HEART PRODUCES EVIL. OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS. Luke 6:45
The word heart in the above scripture is the Greek word cardia. Sounds like cardio, doesn’t it? The heart, according to the ancients, was the seat of the mind, will, emotion, intellect, reasoning, etc.
It’s very important to understand this to understand these precious and true words of our Lord and be able to take them to HEART!
Let’s look at the last part of this verse…
OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS
In other words what you have stored up in your mind, will, emotion, intellect and reason is what will come out of your mouth. It will overflow out of your mouth if unchecked!
I call this “word vomit”. A perfect word picture, right? Gross but one word picture you are not likely to forget.
If we listen to what we say it is a good indicator of the condition of our hearts! Wow!
When we listen to what we are saying we can know what we are treasuring up in the part of us we cannot see.
Now there is good news and bad when it comes to controlling what we say.
We will always have the nagging urge to speak our minds. And what is in our hearts will always want a voice. Many times we will feel uncomfortable until those words come up like word vomit!
But if we let the Holy Spirit take over our hearts and fill us up with His Presence we can obey Him and use our mouths for good and not for uselessness or harm.
And we should want to check out our hearts and guard our mouth! Just listen to what Proverb 18:2 says…
A FOOL TAKES NO PLEASURE IN UNDERSTANDING, BUT ONLY EXPRESSING HIS OPINION
Yup, that is what we are talking about!!!!!
And here’s the wise warning Jesus gave us about what we say…
BUT I TELL YOU, EVERY CARELESS WORD THAT PEOPLE SPEAK, THEY SHALL GIVE AN ACCOUNTING FOR IT ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT Matt 12:36
And Paul, the disciple said…
BUT AVOID FOOLISH CONTROVERSIES AND GENEALOGIES AND DISPUTES ABOUT THE LAW, THEY ARE UNPROFITABLE AND WORTHLESS Titus 3:9
God has lots and lots to say about what we say and our opinions! And there is so much more in the Bible about what comes out of our mouths!
We should know and obey what God says about what we say!
What comes from God’s heart is good. Not only good but perfect. He pours out His best wisdom for us, with such great love towards us, and by His Holy Spirit empowers us!
So friends, when it comes to our opinions and worthless talk we have a huge decision to make.
Do we consider ourselves too wise in our own eyes? Do we only care about expressing our own opinion?
Or do we want to love God and serve others with our hearts and mouth?
The choice is ours. But so is the consequences. So, let’s choose what is good and right and loving!
SET A GUARD, O LORD, OVER MY MOUTH; KEEP WATCH OVER THE DOOR OF MY LIPS
You might also like to read LOVING OTHERS WITH OUR WORDS and 5 very practical ways to do that!
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear, and my Lord and Savior knew this!! I return to work from Spring Break tomorrow, and needless to say, politics are alive and thriving in the school system. I feel bombarded by questionable actions/decisions/policy and rhetoric in every moment of the day, and sometimes I find myself being way too critical and opinionated. Having this message sets my heart on a right path, a more peaceful path.
Hi Pamela, here’s another scripture to keep in your mind and on your heart, LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS. I Peter 2:8. Because of love we can overlook and cover over the sins of others. It is a blessing to pray for them and love them. Remember we are all sinners.
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AMEN!
Wonderful blog today!!
Thank you!
Thank you Deborah.
God is speaking through you. Man must listen and take heed. Bless you my sister
Thank you so much for the Biblical exhortation. I needed that today.
Sadly, you lost me with this post. Not all of us are Christian.
I’m sorry to see you go. There are six other days of decorating and other home posts. I am a Bible teacher and Sunday’s are reserved for God here.
I needed to hear this today!
Thank you…Sunday blessings.
Amen and Amen ?
So true! I have learned to keep my opinions to myself, especially now when everything is so controversial. If only others would do the same.
I think we can speak the truth in kindness. And that is what sets us apart from the world.
I was so blessed by the scriptures. Thank you so much for the reminders.
You are welcome, Betty!
Yes, so true. Thank you for these reminders.
Amen, Amen, and Amen. Well said.
Amen! This is something that’s been in my heart lately, thank you for this teaching. God bless you!
God bless you, Elizabeth.
Beautiful and very timely! While we love your decorating and home posts, your Sunday posts are just as helpful and welcomed! Thank you!
Thanks! I needed this!
Yvonne,
You were right on your Sunday talk. I read this several times and listened to what you were saying and what the Bible verses’ say to us. Boy, did it fit me to a tee!!!! This was one of the best Sunday readings that you have done. I loved it so much and will take it to my heart, literally. Thank you so much for all your work on these Sunday post especially today.
jean
Thanks you so much for a good reminder about how we speak. In today’s political climate it has become so normal to speak without respect and even express opinions on matters that we may not have sufficient knowledge. I try to watch my tongue constantly but fail far too often. Thank you again for your wonderful lesson
Hi Yvonne,
Reading this a little bit late, but you hit the right spot sister. Thank you for a wise and inspirational post. In response to Pamela’s post, you and I are in the same position. It is draining, don’t you think so?
Thank you so much for this excellent and important article on our words. It gave me a lot to think about and apply to my life. God’s word is awesome! God bless you, Yvonne.
Beautiful post Yvonne, this was such a good reminder to all of us. I don’t usually read your readers comments, but saw one today that bothered me. You don’t have to be a Christian, to watch out for the evil that may come from our mouths. If everyone minded their mouths, the world would be a better place. Loved your post today, thank you so much!!