"Don’t Talk too Much"!

13, April 2016


‘Study to be quiet.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:11 KJV

Dr Joe R. Brown of Rochester, Minnesota, tells of the frustration he encountered while trying to take a physical history on a patient. The man’s wife kept answering every question. Finally, Dr Brown requested that she leave the room. But after she left he discovered that her husband couldn’t speak. Calling the wife back, Dr Brown apologized for not realizing the man had aphasia—loss of speech—and couldn’t speak a word. The wife was even more astonished—because she didn’t know that he couldn't speak either!  Throughout their marriage, she was always the dominate speaker. The Bible says there’s ‘a time to be silent and a time to speak’ (Ecclesiastes 3:7 NIV).  Why? Because communicating too little can destroy a relationship, and so can talking too much. Sometimes we talk because we’re lonely and have few opportunities to speak to others; other times it’s because we love the sound of our own voice. Whatever your motivation, excessive talking can hurt you. That’s why Paul writes, ‘Study to be quiet’.  To ‘study’ implies striving or intense effort.  And if you have a ‘motor mouth’ it’ll take intense effort and discipline to overcome this entrenched habit. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to say less than you know; sometimes your power in a situation comes from silence, not words.  Anxious people tend to blabber on, and when you’re negotiating that can put you at a distinct disadvantage because it tips the other person off that you’re insecure.  When Jesus stood before Pilate to be judged, ‘He opened not His mouth’ (Isaiah 53:7 NKJV).  Why? Because Jesus wasn’t on trial—Pilate was!  And Jesus knew it. Here’s the bottom line: You usually learn more by listening—so don’t talk too much!

Your Anger Is Doing Damage

07, April 2016

Your Anger Is Doing Damage

‘Do not be quickly provoked.’ Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV

Angry outbursts are destructive in all relationships, especially in your home. Children are the most vulnerable to parental anger, and they mirror their parents’ behavior. We shape our children’s destiny by our words, behaviors and attitudes, and if they’re raised in a home that’s consistently high-volume, they’ll react similarly. Your outbursts are training your children to be hysterical and violent.  Soon everyone will be overreacting, flying into fits of rage and attacking one another. When you exhibit tantrum-like behavior, you’re acting out of a selfish need to get what you want, when you want it, in the way you think you ought to have it.  Please—for your family’s sake—start acting like an adult; exhibit self-control.  ‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises’ (Hebrews 6:12 NKJV).   Notice, you must have faith and patience. You may not be able to control what happens in life, but you can certainly control your reaction.  Whether it’s the anger a father brings home from the workplace, or a wife’s anger towards her husband, it can bring a curse.  Simeon and Levi harbored anger in their hearts and became vicious and vindictive murderers. Because of this, a curse came upon them, and the anger was passed down from generation to generation (see Genesis 49).  You must break the curse by resisting the temptation to let anger dictate your behavior.  In the words of James: ‘My dear brothers, take note … Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires’ (James 1:19–20 NIV).