Tongue Management

I talk a lot.

At least that is what people tell me.

Fortunately for me, in my personal life, I married someone who is a great listener. She has the patience to listen to me go on and on about a topic, sometimes repeating the same things over and over but in a different manner or using different words. She doesn’t have to put up with this but she somehow endures it when it happens – and I love her for it!

But this approach gets me in trouble sometimes.

Sometimes with my wife (it can even wear on her), and sometimes with others.

For example, whenever I am in a disagreement with someone, my tendency that I just described wants to come out. I want to talk and explain and talk over and interrupt and prove my point so that my viewpoint will be the one that comes out on top. The winner. The one that is accepted by all.

But this is the wrong approach, and it is the wrong approach for a Real Christian Businessman.

A Real Christian Businessman knows that he must listen more and talk less. He must not let his sin flesh get in the way of what is being discussed and use his experience, his patience, his will power, to hold his tongue and not use lots and lots of words. To think before speaking.

“When words are many sin is not absent. He who holds his tongue is wise.” Prov 10:19 (NIV84)

The proper approach (according to our field manual – the Bible) is to hold our tongue. Don’t use so “many” words.

“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Prov 10:19 (NLT)

We need to be sensible in these instances as this version of the Bible says. Keep our mouth closed! How many times have we looked back at a conversation and this has held true for us? Especially in our work environment.

Satan would be so excited for us all to remember all the times that we talked too much and the sin card came out. But God wants us to use the wisdom of Solomon and to know what the results will be if we would just use fewer words. If we just keep our tongue inside our mouth! I am going to continue to work on tongue management – will you work on it with me?