Humanists
place a great deal of faith in “talking things out”. This may be because they believe that man is
inherently good, and that he already has the answers to life’s problems within
himself.
While
interpersonal honesty is important in relationships, Christians should not have
so much faith in themselves. Instead
they should place their faith and hope for answers to life’s problems in God’s
words—not their own words.
Prov 4:4
4
he taught me and
said, "Lay hold of my words
with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. (NIV)
But
the scriptures warn us about our own words:
Prov 10:19
19
When words are
many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (NIV)
Prov 12:18
18
Reckless words
pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV)
Prov 17:27‑28
27 A man of
knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even‑tempered.
28 Even a fool
is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
(NIV)
Ps 19:14
14
May the words of
my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my
Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV)
Prov 29:20
20 Do you see
a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (NIV)
Eccl 6:10‑11
10 Whatever
exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can
contend with one who is stronger than he.
11 The more
the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? (NIV)
Eccl 9:17
17
The quiet words
of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. (NIV)
Eccl 10:12‑14
12 Words from
a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13 At the
beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness‑‑
14 and the
fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming‑‑ who can tell
him what will happen after him? (NIV)
Micah 7:5
5 Do not
trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your
embrace be careful of your words. (NIV)
Matt 12:36‑37
36 But I tell you
that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless
word they have spoken.
37 For by your
words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
(NIV)
2 Pet
18 For they
mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful
human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in
error. (NIV)
James 1:19-20
19 My dear
brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry,
20 for man's
anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (NIV)
2 Timothy 2
16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become
more and more ungodly.
The
potential for harming yourself and others that lies in your tongue is a force
to reckon with.
Ps 34:13-14
13 keep
your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn
from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (NIV)
Ps 39:1
1 I
said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a
muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." (NIV)
Prov 15:2
2 The tongue
of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (NIV)
Prov 15:7
7 The
lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. (NIV)
Prov 17:28
28 Even
a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his
tongue. (NIV)
Prov 25:23
23 As a
north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks. (NIV)
James 1:26
26 If
anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his
tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (NIV)
James 3:1-10
1 Not
many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that
we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 We
all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a
perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3 When
we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the
whole animal.
4 Or
take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong
winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise
the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider
what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The
tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts
the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set
on fire by hell.
7 All
kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and
have been tamed by man,
8 but
no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With
the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have
been made in God's likeness.
10 Out
of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not
be. (NIV)
1 Pet 3:10-11
10 For,
"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He
must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. (NIV)
I Jn 3:18-19
18 Dear children,
let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
19 This
then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at
rest in his presence (NIV)
Is
crucial to hearing God’s voice, and doing His will. You should not babble at God either.
Eccl 5:1‑3
1 Guard
your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to
offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do
not be quick with your mouth, do not be
hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you
are on earth, so let your words be few.
3 As a
dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are
many words. (NIV)
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