Why do people talk?

If you’ve ever played Charades, you’ll understand how difficult it is to communicate without speaking. Or if you’ve traveled to a country whose language you don’t speak, you’ll understand the frustration of communication failure.

People talk because it’s an efficient way to communicate a message.

But people also talk for a lot of other reasons, many of them selfish, unhelpful, or downright malicious. Insults, lies, vulgarity, manipulation, control, self-aggrandizement, demeaning humiliation… all manner of ugly things are accomplished with the simple abuse of words.

That’s not why God gave people the ability to speak.

“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

According to the Bible, the only words that should come out of my mouth should be meant to build other people up, to help meet whatever needs they have, and to give them grace or underserved favor. The only things I say! That’s really limiting. Is that even possible?

Perhaps I should try it for a day. Before I utter anything, I will scrutinize what I’m about to say. Is it helpful? Does it improve someone’s day? Does it meet someone’s need, besides my own? Do my listeners feel loved and appreciated?

If not, perhaps I should just keep my mouth shut.

Dear God,

Please help me to be more aware of the things that come out of my mouth and how they affect other people. Forgive my thoughtless and selfish utterances. Teach me to be more selective when it comes to when I speak, what I say, and when to keep silent.