Plato said long ago, “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” If there is ever a time where this is true, it is now. Think about these numbers: there are more than 1.5 billion people active on Facebook. Instagram has over 400 million and Twitter has over 320 million. These reflect only a portion of the various avenues we have to communicate with others. With great opportunity comes great responsibility as well. The word of God provides ample insight into how Christians should see such opportunities provided for us.
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 10:19
Recently you may have heard of someone losing their job because of something they posted on their Facebook page almost two years ago. Businesses are looking at various media outlets concerning people they may employ and colleges as well as universities are doing the same regarding potential students. The above text has been a reminder for over the years. My tongue has gotten me into so many unfortunate situations. That is why restraint is so important. As we read further in Proverbs 10, the next verses says, “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.” My words need to have value to them. Paul exhorts the church in Colosse with these words, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). One person said, “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” James exhorts us to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:20). Then, there is the very next verse in Proverbs 10:21, “The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.” Our speech, the words we use whether spoken or written, are opportunities God has given us to help direct others.
Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
With the variety of opportunities being made available to us all, let us take time to genuinely examine how we uses these avenues. Maybe one of the ways we can do that is simply to ask the following, “Would what I am about to say be acceptable to God?” May He guide us so we can bring Him glory.
Dennis
