Talk.

"The more you say, the less people remember."

-Anatole France

"As you go through life you are going to have many opportunities to keep your mouth shut. Take advantage of all of them."

-West Virginia Gazette

"If you don't say anything, you won't be called upon to repeat it."

-Calvin Coolidge

"Gossip is when you hear something you like about someone you don't."

-Earl Wilson

"Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow. The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense."

-Proverbs 10:19-21

Let's hear it for control, value, and good advice. The Proverbs are loaded with verses about how we should or should not talk. These three verses focus on too much talk, talk worth hearing, and talk worth doing.

"Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin" (v.19).

Sometimes our words are too many. For many people, talk just happens. There's no thinking involved, only the movement of the mouth. I've heard it said of some folks, "He sure talks a lot but he never says anything." Too much talk does that. People talk to be heard. We've all heard, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Now those are words well spoken. There comes a time, probably many times every day, when we should simply listen. Seems like everyone wants to talk and nobody wants to listen.

According to this verse, people who talk too much spread sin. Excessive talk will do that. We'll run out of the truth but keep on talking.

What about the value of our words? "The words of the godly are like sterling silver . . . " (v.20). Is what we say worthy of being heard? Does what we say encourage others? Does our talk discourage others? Do we build up or tear down? Are our words of value to those who listen?

I know we should always think before we speak but often that's not the case. Much of the time we put our mouth in motion before we put our brain in gear resulting in thoughtless talk that cuts down, tears down, and hurts instead of helps. Valueless words of this kind are often remembered long after our apologies are forgotten.

"The godly give good advice" (v.21). Godly advice nourishes the heart and soul of the listener. Words like that feed others as they teach, instruct, encourage, direct, and care. Our words should be words that, in some way, make lives better. Unfortunately, the tongue is the most powerful muscle in the human body. I say unfortunately because I have heard tongues whittle away at many folks who, instead of criticism, needed someone to listen, encourage, and give godly advice in the correct amounts. Of all people, we who follow Christ should give good advice. What we say should be the advice that people can do. Actions speak louder than words and we can give godly advice that will speak volumes when put into practice.

The Bible makes it clear, "People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:7). Sounds like an impossible, full-time job to me but someone's got to take on the challenge. Why not Christians? Why not us? Why not me?

"The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt" (Proverbs 10:32).

Sometimes the godly don't even speak. A waitress in a Friendlys Restaurant in Findlay, Ohio made my day while riding across America. She did it, on my bill, with a smiley face, a fish, and two words, "God bless." Little can often mean a while lot.

How about from time to time we just shut up, listen up, lift up, and build up! We would be a lot better off. So would those around us.

Shhhhhh!