Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. (Proverbs 10:19)
I have been known to suffer from verbal diarrhea. I often speak (a lot) first and think a distant second. This propensity to jabber on has got me into trouble on more than one occasion. At times I have tried extricate myslef by saying even more. But as someone has said, you do not get out of a hole by digging deeper.
And so I am learning, slowly, the spiritual art of shutting up. It's a tough road I am hesitantly learning to walk. Along the way I have discovered, much to my amazement, that holding my tongue and not rushing into a situation with words, words and more words will often help rather than hinder. Shutting up helps me to think before I speak. And that helps everybody.
This is a principle I am also learning to apply in my relationship with God. 'Be still and know that I am God.' As I still my mind, my tongue and my life I am able better to hear the still, small voice of my Creator. Thank you God that you do speak. Thank you God that you give me the desire and the ability even to listen.
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