How often do our mouths get us in trouble? All too often, I’m afraid! These fires of deadly poison (Jas. 3:6, 8) have tremendous power (Prov. 18:21) and will have a tremendous impact on our eternal destinies (Matt. 12:36-37).
In this technological age, our “words” are not limited to the utterances that come from our vocal cords, but they include the communications that come from our finger tips (and thumbs) when in contact with a keyboard. In the world in which we live—with instantaneous news, quick-to-judge media, viral social media posts, and the wide-open door for everyone to spout an opinion about everything—truly “sin lies at the door” (Gen. 4:7).
Fellow Christian, there is a verse that needs to be engraved deeply and durably upon our hearts. It might help if this verse was attached to our keyboards or etched into the screen on our mobile devices. How often do we hear, see or read a piece of information and almost instantaneously find ourselves sharing a post, commenting or just taking to the social media world with our own rant and diatribe about the matter? We do this all too frequently and without ALL of the information! Our all-wise God said, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Prov. 18:13).
Too many Christians are engaging in foolish and shameful messages. God says that it is folly for someone to speak about something when he does not have all of the information and has not heard or considered both (or all) sides of the matter. Brethren, the media will rarely ever tell you the whole matter—sometimes unintentionally, often intentionally. There is always an element to a story that we don’t know. To spout off without full understanding is an expression of shameful foolishness, both in the eyes of man and (more especially) in the eyes of God.
The Lord gave these very helpful instructions to Israel—If you hear someone saying something, “then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain,” then appropriate action can be considered (Deut. 13:12-14). This is a good rule to adopt in our own lives today.
It is not always a news or social media report. Sometimes a disgruntled coworker, a hurting friend or even a fellow church member will tell us about something that happened. Even if it is an appropriate conversation (cf. 1 Pet. 4:15), we must, we must, we must be “slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19) and let Proverbs 18:13 ring in our ears and in our hearts.
Want to save your marriage? Want to save your job? Want to save a friendship? Want to save the church? Want to save your reputation? Learn to restrain your words!