In the sixth grade our teacher in economics spent what seemed like an unbearable amount of time seeking to explain to twelve year old minds the Law of Supply & Demand. Completely disinterested but forced to listen, I came away with the basic understanding that the law states that “the more there is of any given substance, the less value it holds”. If the supply is abundant it means that the resource is common and therefore holds a diminished value. As the supply decreases, the value rises and therefore the cost does also. Let me tell you where we all might do a better job of applying the Law of Supply & Demand: our personal opinions.
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” – Proverbs 29:11 {KJV}
I’m of the opinion that words are the single most powerful human force on earth. By our words we communicate the highest experiences of love, joy, faith, truth, peace, affirmation and encouragement. Words build relationships, impart wisdom, instruct for improvement, express warnings, end wars and preserve history. I’m reminded that our New Testament begins with describing the eternality of Jesus Christ when we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Words have a preeminent place in God’s plan for the ages and we see His intensity concerning this when we read in the very back of our bible, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” God warned not to fiddle with the words that He chose because those words communicate His mind to us. Yes, words hold a premium in the heart of the Almighty and immeasurable importance in the journey of human beings.
Improperly used, words also carry the potential for the most severe of negative impact. This is part of the reason why the writer of the proverb above tells us that it is a fool who speaks without discretion while a wise person holds his tongue. Allow me to address this danger.
As a man who has little else to offer his world beyond the words God gives me, I am thinking intently about this…not for the first time either. I’ve played the fool of Proverbs 29:11 more times than I can count. Usually we fail in this area because of an unprepared heart and a mind that has been allowed spiritual dullness by a neglecting of God’s truth. We verbally snap at a family member. We sarcastically respond to a sincere inquiry. For me failure usually comes in the form of a cutting, defensive retort when someone challenges me. How easy it is to verbally body-slam another when we feel threatened. Some others struggle with gossip or lies or suggestive innuendo while their peers give themselves over to foul language, verbal bullying or criticizing speech which tears others down. Lying, exaggerating, flattering and blunting words are something we have all experienced and, likely, offered at one time or another. What do we do when we become aware of this problem seeking to color our own testimony?
My advice is for you to shut up. Don’t say anything at all. As God empowers you to recognize that your words are not always essential and that, more often than not, your own verbal insertion is not actually required then you can begin to enjoy the practice of simply remaining silent. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” I think for me (and all others of you who have been graced with communicating abilities) it is essential that we view our words as an investment. Think about where you will gain the most valuable return with what you communicate. That’s where you must place your carefully thought-out words. Wisdom teaches us that there are times where not one syllable should be wasted because, beyond the thrill of letting loose your thoughts across your tongue, through your teeth and beyond your lips…nothing will be gained. Can you discipline yourself to speak volumes with your Spirit-tempered silence? Or must you tempt the Law of Supply & Demand and continue filling your world with your presumably valuable opinion, hoping in vain that their worth with somehow increase as their supply abounds? Friends, we speak too often in moments where God might have otherwise taken our silence and done some lasting good. This issue remains something for us to consider and to seek divine aid in mastering. Much rests upon what we decide about our speech so, if we remain unsure of what to say, again, simply keep your sanctified lips sealed for the glory of God.
God, give me the wisdom to know when, and the love to know how, and the will to choose what comes forth from my mouths today.
No idea who said it, but it’s true :-
Words are like toothpaste – once out, you can’t get it back where it came from.
And of course, these days, we have to include words typed into the internet as well as physically spoken. I guess we’ve all hit the “send/submit” button a little hastily. It might have seemed ok at the time, but when we re-read … whoops! or even ouch! or oh dear what have I done?
Thanks for the warning, brother
I have recently been guilty of this very thing, and thank you for your reprimand. Pray that the Lord will Teach me to think before I speak.
I am reminded of what James said,”3:6,and the tongue is a fire, a world of unrightiousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole boody, setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by HELL”
And then in vs 8 “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison”, then in verse 10, “from the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers these things ought not to be so.”
The first chapter is full of these warnings…as you well know! Only the Lord God can help tame that tongue. I am so grateful for James, as the whole book has accused me and trained me to keep short accounts with our precious Lord.