The Bible teaches that it is good for a person not to speak excessively. Proverbs 10:19 declares that within a multitude of words, sin will be present. The wise man, Solomon, warned people to have few words (Eccl. 5:2). The church at Thessalonica was instructed to be quiet (1 Thess. 4:11). Our Savior encouraged simple conversation to avoid evil (Mt. 5:37).

            Believers are encouraged to witness of Christ (Lk. 24:48) and to declare the Gospel message (Rom. 1:15-16). Every follower of Christ knows that God wants him or her to speak up for Him. But the Lord also wants a balance in our lives (Prov. 11:1; Phil. 4:5). A wise man once reminded his congregation that God gave people two ears and only one mouth – the Lord must want us to listen twice as much as we speak! James said much the same thing when he recorded the admonition to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19).

            It would do us all well to pray like David did in Psalm 19:14. David’s petition was that God would find the words of his mouth, and the meditation of his heart to be acceptable in God’s sight. May God give us the discernment to know when to speak and what to say.