Say Less

Saying less might be the hardest thing in the world for me to do. I've always got something to say. Always. If somebody says something, I've got something to say. If nobody says anything, I've got something to say. If somebody does something, I've got something to say. And if nobody does anything, I absolutely have something to say! I almost feel like it's my job to say something about everything that matters to me. 

But the scripture constantly talks to us about our tongues. In fact, Proverbs tells us that a person who guards his mouth keeps himself from calamity. In other words, say less. And when you do speak, follow the guidance we see in Ephesians 4:29 which tells us to speak only the things that buids up others and things that will be beneficial to them. A third scripture in Timothy reminds us to avoid foolish controversies because they breed quarrels. 

Fact is, it's true. How many times have you watched a silly conversation go left? How many times have you walked away from a conversation and thought to yourself, I should have just stayed out of that? How many times have you held back your thoughts only to be thankful that you did later?

Truth is, most of what spills from our mouth is not beneficial to the hearer. Instead it creates conflict that we could and should avoid. So say less, unless what you have to say will build up the people around you.