There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.- Unknown
talking
How’s Your Hearing?
“But I say to you who hear. . .” (NAS) Luke 6:27
The the act of hearing that Jesus was referring to was more than just hearing the words, it included processing what was heard. Hearing His words was intended to shape one’s perspective, so much so that God’s Word was to determine the way the hearer views all the issues of life. . .to completely reshape one’s outlook and determine his values and attitudes. Truly hearing God’s Word meant putting into practice what was heard.
How’s your hearing?
Are you hearing the words spoken on Sunday morning and living them out Monday through Saturday? How are you implementing what you hear?
When do you seek out God’s Word?
Are you reading God’s Word to hear God’s voice?
How has God’s Word reshaped your outlook towards life? towards people? towards your spouse? towards your neighbor? towards your children? towards your dreams? towards your desires?
Jesus: “. . . consider carefully how you listen.” Luke 8:18
Juicy Morsels
Think back over the past few days. . . what did you talk about? Were the words that you spoke true? Were they pleasing to God? Did you gossip about anyone? Or any event? How did you embellish a story to keep your audience entranced? When was the last time you passed along hearsay? Or “shared a juicy morsel of news” with someone? Or shared a “prayer request” that was actually rumor? Be careful! Listen to what the Bible says about gossip. . .
- A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. (Proverbs 16:28)
- My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. (Proverbs 8:7)
- A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. (Proverbs 20:19)
- Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. (Proverbs 26:20)
- Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (Proverbs 17:28)
- A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. (Proverbs 11:13)
Take the time to inspect your speech today. Ask God to point out those false stories that you may be passing along. The next time you’re tempted to gossip just close your mouth. . .and you will earn the legacy of being a trustworthy, wise follower of Christ!
Dribble
Our family has given excessive talking a dignified name, we call it “dribble.” I know people who can dribble for hours, talking about absolutely nothing. They fill the conversation (and my time) with endless details and irrelevant facts, monopolizing a discussion. Often, I’ll leave a discussion wondering what, if anything of value, I have learned. There must have been dribblers back when the Bible was written because even God has advice for them:
- The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. (Proverbs 10:8)
- When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19 NIV)
- A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. (Proverbs 18:2 NIV)
Before you start pointing a finger at dribblers you know, are you a dribbler? When was the last time you found yourself chattering about nothing? When should you have held your tongue instead of blurting out? How often do you find your “foot in your mouth?” The older I get, the more I see the value in listening to others. If you’re an experienced dribbler, why not try listening instead of speaking? You might find you have a lot of excess time to do other things!