Proverbs 10:19 Words_

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Or another way of translating from NIV says:

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. Proverbs‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why would someone talk too much? There’s the natural desire to connect with another, to find friendship, to be understood. But there are times when we want to work things out verbally. We need a solution, or a resolution.

Cardinal Richelieu says, “If one would give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest man, I would find something in them to have him hanged.” Jesus says in the Gospels, “From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” From the core of our person come the words that flow. When looking within, what do I see? One that trusts and recognizes the need for the grace and covering that our Father provides, or one that is determined to be faultless, successful, and better than another based on my own merit? In the incredible grace and help I am given, words may cease. There is no longer a need to explain myself, work out my own solution, or justify something I’ve done.

When I trust in His free gift I have the solution. I cannot rid myself of any shortcoming by explaining it away. And in an attempt to do so, if there is a part of my heart not covered in God’s amazing grace, my failure often comes out while exposing myself to the listener. Thinking something is one thing. Saying it is another. Once we act on our thoughts – even verbally – a seed of belief takes root. The more we nurture it, it grows and produces a crop. If the seed planted is faith, we have one sort of crop, a seed planted in self-justification or self-advancement yields another crop – and in that crop I understand why Solomon would say “transgression is unavoidable.”

When I have something that’s churning within, the best approach is to wrestle it under the blood of the lamb. Ensure it is covered and bathed in the requests I make of my Father in heaven. Restraining my words is wise. Hold the tongue and let my energy be applied to a real resolution, one that relies on amazing grace.