Erling Thu

Don’t talk too much!

Written by

Erling Thu

in

I came across a verse in the Bible saying that too much talk fosters sin. I wonder if too much blogging or too much prophesying falls into the same category?

"Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!" (NLT Proverbs 10:19) 

Scripture verses on speaking or keeping silent

There is a time for everything, a time to be quiet and a time to speak up. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow! (Proverbs 10:19) 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness. (Proverbs 15:2)

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3)

Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4)

Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. Proverbs 15:5)

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. (Proverbs 17:27)

A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook. (Proverbs 18:4)

Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies. (Proverbs 20.15)

If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble. (Proverbs 21:23)

Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket. (Proverbs 25:11)

Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold. (Proverbs 25:12)

Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition. (Proverbs 25:15)

A fool gives full vent to anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back. (Proverbs 29:11)

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28)

Then I realized that though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long. But even so, the quiet words of a wise person are better than the shouts of a foolish king. (Ecclesiastes 9:16-17)

If your boss is angry with you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes. (Ecclesiastes 10:4)

It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent. (Proverbs 11:12)

Leave a Reply to MatthewCancel reply

Comments

6 responses to “Don’t talk too much!”

  1. Akinola Akinyede Avatar
    Akinola Akinyede

    Erling, you have raised a prodding question here: if too much blogging or too much prophesying falls into the same category as too much talking which the Bible clearly instructs against.
    I dont know.

    Reply
  2. Matthew Avatar
    Matthew

    I guess this suggests the next question – how much is too much?
    Perhaps too much talking is relative to something else… action or power maybe.
    “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but power” [1 Cor 4:20]

    Reply
  3. Elwyn Jones Avatar
    Elwyn Jones

    I’m amazed at this comment you have made. I have been quite challenged and provoked by it!
    1 peter 4:11 says.. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.Surely that means if any man who publicly asserts or defends his opinions in Christian matters is claiming to speak for God, if he is unwilling to publicly accept responsibity for claiming to speak for God,then he should keep his opinions to himself. The N.T. Apostles were ready and willing to live by and die for whatever they spoke to others as God’s representatives.
    I am not a blogger, actually I think you bloggers are brave men(james3:1) I read your blogs and you invite your readers to post comments. I have learnt a lot from reading your blogs and others that’s how we find out the many interpretations of modern Christendom.
    The Bible teaches that we as brother’s are allowed to reason together in love, so in love brother what are you actually saying in this blog?

    Reply
  4. Erling Thu Avatar
    Erling Thu

    Dear Elwyn! Thank you for your comment and question. The good thing about this entry is that it made you think and we were given an opportunity to reason together in love as the Bible says we should do. In this entry I am actually only raising a provocative question, or I am airing a wondering and hoping for input from brothers or sisters in the Lord.
    Jesus is also saying that we shouldn’t talk too much since we will have to make an account for every word we speak. That goes for what we write as well I suppose. Rightly you refer to James saying that teachers will be judged with greater strictness.
    I will continue to answer more in a new entry on my blog.

    Reply
  5. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    This is quite an interesting statement, prophesy and tongues can come so thick and fast that people take it for granted; so much so that nobody take much notice of it! Just ask your congregation what the Almighty said the week before 99.9% won’t remember, this surely cannot be right. God is very particular about speaking on his behalf, so much so that a false prophet in the OT was not allowed to live. Personally I would prefer never to prophesy again rather than risk speaking from the flesh and leading God’s church astray, how dare we take speaking on God’s behalf lightly. Of course we are asked to discuss scriptures and check people teachings, the Bereans in Acts 17:11 were commended for even checking out the Apostles Paul, we are after all fallible human beings. One theologian said (I’m not sure who) that you can never be sure of a doctrine you hold until you defended it from attack.
    Thanks for a thought provoking thread.
    Blessings
    Mark

    Reply
  6. lots of questions Avatar
    lots of questions

    Hi –
    I am really intrigued by your post; and I am trying to discern if you are being used to “nail” me…and I am wondering how someone knows if your comments apply to him/her.
    One way is to listen for Holy Spirit’s voice, to ask Lord Jesus if the His Word applies in an individual situation. But do you have any other gauge or “standard” in mind? (Standard – for lack of a better word.)
    It is good to personally apply the Word when it comes…It is good to examine one’s practices and see if Lord Jesus is delivering a personal word when something like this comes. I’m just trying to wrap my mind around it; I’m just trying to discern if Holy Spirit in you is speaking to ME, regarding this.

    Reply

More posts

Discover more from Erling Thu

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading