by Jerry Senn
On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The faint etchings read:
Beneath this stone, a lump of clay,
Lies Arabella Young,
Who, on the twenty-fourth of May,
Began to hold her tongue.
If your lips you would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care:
To whom you speak: of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.”
— William Norris
Some of us may be, at times, too talkative. We are like the young man who supposedly went to the great Greek philosopher Socrates to learn oratory. On being introduced, he talked so incessantly that Socrates asked for double fees. “Why charge me double?” said the young man. “Because,” said the orator, “I must teach you two sciences: the one is how to hold your tongue, and the other is how to speak.”
James’ letter identifies the folly of speaking when we should be listening. I believe we all give too little attention to our words, their impact on others and the value of using wisdom from God when our tongues are in use.
(See James 1:17-21). Being a good listener is even more productive than speaking well. Eloquence may be empty and even also hurtful.
Here’s some wisdom from Jesus on this matter: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” … “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34b, 36-37).
That’s the reason inspired Scripture teaches, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
I, for one, need to listen carefully to God’s wisdom on the use of my tongue!!! Especially in these tense and troubled times.