Whose World Is It?

Tonight we take an interlude from Isaiah to think about avoiding foolishness in speech. Without maintenance, our character falls into disrepair just like a car or house. Without oversight, our minds direct our lips to speak meaningless things. We may intend humor or we may intend to entertain or provoke others to a favorable reaction, but if our speech is not meaningful and well-intentioned, it can quickly become a foul and meaningless thing.

Solomon reminds us who we are and where we are. Without a daily reminder that we live in God’s world, it is the easiest thing in the world to believe that we live in our world. In relation to God, we are small and this is easy to forget.

But we live only by the grace and uncountable blessings of God. He is ever watchful and He knows all we think and speak. Guarding our words follows guarding our thoughts.

Why does the Bible stress the importance of being hesitant and careful when we choose our words? Because they carry great import. Our word reflects our hearts and our hearts are a sacrifice to God. Am I living for Him or am I living for me?

Consider this passage from the book of Ecclesiastes that bear out the weight of the words we speak:

“Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Tonight let us fear God and honor Him with our speech.