OUR SPEECH

It was Dr. Louann Brizendine, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, who stated that every day the male would utter 7,000 words, while the female 13,000 words. This statement indicates at least two things, namely that human beings love to talk, and the women talk more than men, even almost twice as much. Although the Bible does not explicitly state that women are more talkative than men, yet there are some verses which implicitly state that people do not like talkative (garrulous) women; however nothing is said about talkative men.

For example, Proverbs 27:15 says,

“Acontinualdroppingin a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” (KJV)

Or

“A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day.” (NIV)

But what are actually the Biblical principles of speech or manner of speaking?

God is the Great Communicator, and He has revealed many important communication principles in the Bible. By following these

principles, we are able to strengthen our relationships with our neighbours and learn to think and act like our compassionate and loving Creator. We can not live without communicating with others. However, Proverbs 10:19 explains that “the multitude of words”, or many words, are generally known to cause problems,

“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” (KJV)

Or

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (NIV)

Therefore we must think before we speak and choose our words carefully. Even David himself asked God to help him communicating in the right way. He said in Psalm 141:3,

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”

And in Psalm 19:14 he said,

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Just like David, we all want to please God with the words we utter. God wants us to choose our words wisely. Blessings and informations commendable should dominate our conversations. Colossians 4:6 declares,

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Philippians 4:8 also says,

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

So, think before uttering an opinion, speak gently, kindly, wisely, honestly and lovingly, so that we can soothe or ease negative feelings and promote positive relationships and, most importantly, do not talk too much.