Covid descended upon me in December, and our home became very quiet. Due to potentially coughing every time I wanted to speak, words were few and my wife lived in “Silent Night.”
During those days, this thought came to mind: Most of us talk too much, and too often about things that don’t matter; many of us do not talk enough about what’s really important.
Then the following arrested my attention one morning while reading the latter chapters of Job in his response to God, Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. (Job 40:4). Having told his friends to put their hand over their mouths (21:5), now Job knows he must do the same lest he speak out of turn with God.
Perhaps it would do each of us good to take a cue from Job.
David prayed something along the same lines, Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3)
Please, honestly ask yourself the following questions. Do some personal inventory as I have.
- Do I need to put my hand over my mouth?
- Do I need to share “that information” with everyone, and is it completely true?
- Do I gossip, participate in gossip or listen to gossip?
- Do I need to give my opinion on everything?
- Do I speak of other’s sins but seldom speak of my own?
- Do I talk about others more than I talk to God about others?
- Do I complain and whine and criticize rather than rejoice, encourage and praise?
- Do I talk more about myself and what’s on my mind than talking about my Savior, my Lord, my Friend, my King and what He has done?
Solomon put it this way, A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent (Proverbs 17:27-28).
Don’t let Covid have to teach you this important lesson of life. Lay your hand to your mouth (Job 40:4).
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin (Proverbs 13:3).
From A Pastor's Heart 