Too Much Talking

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Alissa tugged Madison to the side of the hallway and whispered in her ear, “Did you hear what Lucy said about you?”

Madison’s eyes widened as Alissa related the rumors she’d heard. Madison wasn’t that close with Lucy, although they were friends with the same people. “I don’t know why she would say that,” Madison said, trying to shrug it off as she headed to her next class.

But as the day continued and more people asked her to verify the things Lucy had said, Madison felt her hurt beginning to build. Finally, she snapped. The next time someone asked, Madison bad-mouthed Lucy.

In the moment, she felt a sense of righteous anger. She hadn’t done anything to Lucy. The attack had come out of nowhere. She wanted people to take her side. But as the day wore on and the drama continued, Madison began to realize that she’d reacted the wrong way. Talking badly about Lucy didn’t defuse the situation or make Madison look any better. It made her look worse. As her temper cooled, guilt crept in. She wished she’d never responded the way she had, but now it was too late.

We’ve all experienced hurt feelings because of something said about us. And most of us have said angry words about or to someone else, often because we felt wronged. But the Bible tells us that too much talking can lead to sin! That doesn’t mean it’s a sin if you like talking to people. It’s thoughtless talk that usually gets us in trouble.

God wants us to be gracious and kind to those with whom we interact. The warning to “keep your mouth shut” is a reminder that we need to choose our words carefully. Rather than say things we will later regret, it’s always better to err on the side of silence or kindness. Refusing to engage when people stir up arguments with us is always a better solution.

Things to Think About

• Have you ever wished you’d kept your mouth shut instead of responding to someone’s unkind words? What happened as a result of engaging with their attack?
• What are strategies you can put in place to avoid saying things you will regret?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

If someone provokes you, refuse to respond. If no one tries to make you angry, practice talking less by asking a friend specific questions and listening to her response. Consider how watching our words—both good and bad—influences others.