Most People Talk Too Much
Words betray us. They let out the unseen and unknown thoughts within; they tell others who and what we really are.
Most people talk too much. It is good to recall the words of the wise man in Proverbs 10:19 that in the multitude of words there lacks no sin. The very multiplicity of words is sin, for there are sure to be a good many idle words there, for which man must give an account to God in the day of judgment. Many words often obscure one's thoughts rather than clarify them.
The old Mississippi steamboats often blew the whistle so long and so loud that the vessel would have to stop for lack of steam. They expended on the whistle what should have gone to the pistons. There is still the danger of making noise rather than progress.
The story is told of a man who wired his house for a doorbell, the power being furnished by several batteries. It worked like a charm. So he conceived the idea of connecting a light to the same line so he could read at night in bed. But this would not work, and upon inquiring from an electrician the reason why, he was told that it took a lot more power to give light than to make noise.
But mere talkativeness is not the worst evil. The tongue is used for positive mischief. How many lies are told! how many impure things! how many unkind words!
Is there then no possible chance of controlling the deceitful tongue? Oh, yes, there is; the Apostle James gives us the key. The Lord Jesus, as the pilot at the helm of a ship (3:4), takes charge of these tongues of ours, as we yield ourselves to Him. Thus shall the tongue be kept in check from saying wrong and wicked things; and be guided aright to say things that are good to the use of edifying.