Wordy Talk

CBN.com A couple of years ago I wrote a piece on blogging. At that time few had heard the term. But now, good grief, Charlie Brown, they are everywhere. Thousands start up daily.

Now a number of folks have asked me to start a blog. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s all we need, more hot air polluting the cyberspace ozone.

I know people like to vent, I know that many need a soap box from which to express their opinions, I know about freedom of speech, but for me all the blab on TV, radio talk, and the blogosphere world is unnecessary. I love the mute button on my TV remote.

As Paul (as in the apostle) said, “There are many kinds of voices in the world….” ad nauseam.

Here are a few more thoughts that in the end may be self defeating and add to the cacophony:

“By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.” (James 3.6 The Message)

“The voice of a fool comes through many words.” (Ecclesiastes 5.3)

“Let your statement be yes, yes, or no, no; and anything beyond that is from the evil one.” (Jesus Christ - Matthew 5.37)

“Put aside abusive speech.” (Colossians 3.8)

“Let your words be few.”(Ecclesiastes 5.2)

“The more words you speak the less they mean.” (Ecclesiastes 7.11)

“Many are drunk with the wine of their own wordiness." (E.Stanley Jones)

“In all things be “quick to listen and slow to speak.” (James 1.19)………..

……… Otherwise you will become like “a man too ready to speak. Know that a fool has more hope than he. And never dare to teach someone what you have not practiced yourself.” (John Cassian, 360-435, French monk.)

Of course we must communicate, but it’s what we are communicating.

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of a disciple.” (One who is taught.) (Isaiah 50.4)

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25.11)

The bottom line: “God’s in heaven, you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5.2)

Plumb Line of Truth:

The criterion in regard to all these words?

• What are they saying?
• What does it require of me?
• How much does it cost?
• Does it work?
• What are the results?
• Is it true?

“By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Jesus Christ, Matthew 12.38)

So, after all that, I am signing off with singer/songwriter Paul Simon and joining with him in the “Sounds of Silence.”