Speaking Before You Think

Job 20

Have you ever said something and then immediately wished you could take it back? I have! It seems as though my mouth works at hyper-speed and my brain is lagging just a little behind it. The problem is, once words are spoken, they can never be taken back. This idea of speaking before you thought is such a problem that many communication devices have an intentional lag of a few seconds so that you can cancel a sent message. Why? Because I am not the only person that is impulsive. It is a problem that all of us have to fight.

What does this have to do with Job chapter 20? Well, we do not have to get very far into the chapter and we find the answer to that question.

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Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer,

And for this I make haste.

Job 20:1-2

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See that? Right there in verse 2, Zophar said "for this I make haste" to answer Job. In other words, he was rushing to give an answer. This was not a carefully thought out answer. It was a quick response.

Many times we praise someone with a "quick wit". Some of us are capable to spitting back an insult as without a moments thought. It just seems to come out. Many times this is meant in jest but words jokes can hurt as often as they cause laughter. The Bible actually teaches against this type of use of our mouths.

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Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath

James 1:19

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James tells us to be slow to speak. If we do not weigh our words, we will say things that get us in trouble. Even when we think about what we are going to say, our words will get us in trouble. I could not tell you the number of times I have tried to be careful about how I word something and still upset someone. I'm not talking about people being overly sensitive, I'm talking about me saying things the wrong way. Communication feels like an impossible task.

Solomon also weighed in on this idea of thinking before you speak as well.

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A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1-2

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A soft answer is thoughtful. This is opposed to the mouth of the fool that "Poureth out foolishness". These words are not slow, but rather come rushing out. Isn't that when we get in trouble the most, when our words come rushing out? While I often find myself there, I never like being on the side of the fool when I read Proverbs.

John MacArthur wrote a book titled "Twelve Ordinary Men". In this book he described the personalities of the disciples. On his section about Peter, he called him "The Disciple With The Foot Shaped Mouth". Peter was corrected and reprimanded by Jesus multiple times for speaking without thinking or understanding what he was commenting on. Just like Peter, we often are guilty of the same thing. We speak without understanding. Solomon spoke about this as well.

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He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17:27-28

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Solomon said that a wise person speaks sparingly. They do not have to share their opinion on every topic. On the other hand, he says that even a fool is considered wise when he is quiet. I grew up hearing a saying, "It is better to remain silent and let people assume your ignorance, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." People will assume what they want, but we do not have to give them evidence to support their assumptions.

As Christians, we need to be careful what we say. The world is watching us. They NEED to see Christ in us. The words Jesus spoke were a direct reflection on the will of the Father. There were times when he spoke, and times when he did not. There were times when he defended himself, and times when he did not. There were times when he was harsh because the situation demanded it. However, his words were always bathed in prayer. We should take such care with our answers as well!

Father help me to to be slow to speak. This goes against my nature but I know it is your desire for me. Help my words to glorify you. May I know when to speak and when to remain silent. May I know when to stand boldly and when to walk away. Help me to speak with wisdom when you want me to speak at all.