Mouths

Ecc 5:2 "Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few."

 

The one thing that gets all of us in trouble is…our mouths. Just think of the pain that we would avoid if we didn't say certain things. Just think of the trouble we wouldn't get into if we just didn't open our pie traps.

 

The problem is that we are what this verse tells us not to be…rash with our words. Hasty. Impetuous. Quick. We just let things spill out and we have to deal with the consequences. I think James, the brother of Jesus, read Solomon's work: "But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." James 1:19. Later in his letter he deals with the tongue and how it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Nasty stuff.

 

But look at where it starts, more advice: "nor let your heart be hasty…". Rash and hasty, the same Hebrew word. Impulsive. When my words are rash it is because my inner man is impulsive. That is what I have to work on. The heart. The inner man. What is going on inside. Jesus said it Himself: "For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45 Does nasty stuff come out? Nasty stuff is in. Does anger and bitterness come out? Anger and bitterness are in. Does lying come out? A lack of truth is in. Does criticism come out? A critical spirit is in. Does taking God's name in vain come out? A lack of the fear of God is in. When I am changed on the inside, it will show on the outside in my words.

 

Then this, don't be rash with your words, don't be hasty in your heart to speak to God. Wait a minute! I thought He wanted us to talk to Him. I thought He delighted in prayer. He does…but He wants it to be real. He wants it to be genuine. He doesn't just want flippant prayer. If that is what I am going to give Him, shut up and be quiet. If I come to Him out of a hasty heart and a quick word, forget it. It would be better to just sit and listen.

 

The final advice: "Let your words be few"…with God and with people. I remember sitting in meetings with leaders at church. Some of us could not wait to open our mouths and tell everyone what we were thinking. Then there was Ed Reimel. He just sat, and listened, and considered. When he spoke you knew it was with a heart of wisdom. You knew it was real. You knew it was the truth. Mr. Reimel practiced what Solomon advised. So should I.