Whoever
guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 (ESV)
Because my ministry is
primarily to women, I can safely say with some authority that some women simply
talk too much for anyone's good.
We "share" with
each other and others much more information than we have
liberty to share, we distort circumstances and embellish stories, and it’s
pretty common to have a woman talking over her husband in marriage counseling. We use our words to assault each other’s
character, slander one another, curse at one another, lie to one another, and
accuse each other. Think about how much time you have spent judging
other’s clothes, styles, decisions about educating their children, working or
staying at home.
In the multitude of words
sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV)
When a multitude of words
are coming forth there is such a great danger of ungodly speech! It becomes so
easy to add details that are not true into a story, or to say things that are not
true, unkind and hurtful.
We can use the small member called the tongue to bring
either life or death. Too often, we bring death. We bring heartache, strife,
and misery to others and to ourselves. Scripture tells us not to speak
things that are unwholesome, or grieve the Spirit of God by how we speak. There
is a very good reason James 3:5-8 says that the tongue is a powerful
force, that it is said to be a fire, and the very world of
iniquity; the Bible says the tongue defiles the entire body, and can
torpedo what we have planned in life, and is set on fire by hell.
Talking reveals much more
about us than we realize. Talking too much reveals what is going on in her
heart. Destructive
words we use are usually an instrument of judgment. A woman who talks too much is revealing a heart
of fear, a heart of selfishness, and a heart of pride.
In
2 Timothy 2:16, Paul warns us to “avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it
will lead to further ungodliness.”
"But the things
that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the
man." Matthew
15:18 (NASB)
Reigning
in the tongue is a lifelong battle. It begins when you understand the words you
say reveal what lives in your heart. Before your words will change, your heart
must be affected, your conscience must be affected, and you must repent.
If
you are a woman who talks too much and you see yourself in this post, begin to
change this life dominating sinful pattern by asking God to help you to see
your heart. David prayed that God would "see if there is any wicked way in
me" (Psalm 139) and this ought to be your prayer too.
As
God reveals your sinful heart to you, repent and confess to those you have
wounded by your careless use of the tongue. Ask forgiveness of those you have
wronged or offended by your non-stop chatter, and thank God for His forgiveness
as well.