Proverbs 29 – Talkers

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

23 Pride brings a person low,
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

We all know folks who love to talk, who seem to have a lot to say.  Some of those people have been described as “ones who like the sound of their own voice.”  There are folks who talk too much.  Proverbs 29:20 warns against this type of behavior, “observe the people who always talk before they think—even simpletons are better off than they are.” (The Message)  Talking too much can lead to our talking without thinking.  We can be quick to talk, without thinking how our words will be heard.  Just as our words can lift folks up, they can also tear people down.  Our words matter.  Proverbs 29:23 speaks to the dangers of our pride.  It can bring us humiliation, “pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.” (The Message)  Pride can cause us to stumble, to fall, however if we are humbled then we will be honored.  If we are too prideful, we may tend to say too much, then our words could tie up our feet and cause us to fall flat on our face.  May we think before we speak, may we choose to say less and listen more, and may we keep our pride in check.

Matt

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