Caribbean Sea, 2005: As silence is golden, it can also be sweet, innocent, and life-saving. Think through your vocal options and remove life’s power center from the domain of the tongue.

From Trent Ling:

Trent Ling shares matters that should be part of the conduct of disciples of Jesus.  For a brief explanation of such postings, please see Conduct in God’s Household.

“There is a time for everything… a time to be silent and a time to speak.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7.  How great to consider such a classic verse, and how magnificent to put it into effect.  Unfortunately, when it comes to verbal expression, many shy away in the shadows while others lack an “off” button.  Ironically, those who need to give an account go mum, and those needing a timeout, cannot shut up long enough to call one.  For those in darkness, the web letter, “Conduct:  Confess Yourself” has previously been offered.  For those with ill-timed mouthiness, may this brief admonition offer a better chance at vocal calibration.

In light of the Sandusky scandal, surely someone raising a voice at Penn State through the years would have prevented immeasurable wounds taking deep root across numerous, innocent lives.  “Speak, Nittany Lions, speak!” cries a belated mantra.  May that tragedy mark the fact that in no case will a guilty silence be made or judged to be innocent.

On the other side of things, far too many utter and mutter, moan and groan, holler and babble, and speak so incessantly as if completely unable to discern time, place and appropriateness.  Some talk at and/or to the movies, others while another addresses a crowd, still others when decorum calls for silence, thought, and/or awe.  Many must converse through the chewing of their food, while still others offer their voices in overbearing environments where they cannot even possibly be heard.  Seemingly, many proceed unaware that their thoughts dribble out of their mouths unabated.  And on and on.  What’s the deal with these people?

Mostly, we should seek, obtain, and enact a higher and more exacting standard by which we open our mouths to enunciate something in the first place.  Such would likely cure 80% of errant verbalization.  The remaining 20% probably burns off amid lives reverent to the truth and practiced in disciplined living.  For starters, a five-to-one considering-to-speaking ratio would likely help those seeking exodus from verbalization addictions.

Personally, I’m glad to be exhausted from speaking, and I’m rarely saying anything these days.  I resolved long ago not to speak any more than necessary, and God has weaned me from needing to say anything ever again.  For me to call on the vocal chords at this point, it had better count!

Remember, the silently guilty eventually go to jail–God’s and man’s, while those who fail to tame their tongues set the course of their lives on fire (often without ever knowing it).  James 3:6.  So, what standard and course will you adopt anew, today?

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