Be Careful What You Say

Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
For a dream comes through much activity,
And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.
          Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

There are many who enjoy talking with friend and family. Some can chat up a storm with any person they meet. Speech is a wonderful gift that God has given us, such that we can easily communicate with one another. And some use that gift more than others.

Perhaps you know of some who can go on and on and on. They seem to know everything and feel the need to explain things, perhaps weave tall tales, or brag about one thing or another.

Words are a wonderful thing when used properly. But they can also be harmful - for both the ones using them and the ones receiving them! We need to think before we speak and try to ensure we don’t say foolish things. Consider Jephthah:

And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands.
When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes, and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me! For I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it.”
          Judges 11:30-32, 34-35

Jephthah made a foolish oath. He vowed to offer to the Lord whatever came out to greet him if the Lord would provide Jephthah the victory. The Lord did deliver Jephthah the victory and when Jephthah returned he was greeted by his only child. He was grieved, but kept his promise (v.39).

To not run into such terrible situations we ought to be careful what we say!

                -- John Thrower Jr.