Since childhood, one thing has remained constant in my character/personality: my love for talking. Naturally, I’m a social person. I enjoy engaging with people, discovering their stories, and learning about their lives, hopes, and dreams. People fascinate me. It’s incredible how we are all so different, yet so similar. I love conversing with others, though sometimes, I may say too much.

One day, I came across a scripture that made me reflect on the number of words I speak. Proverbs 17:27-28 says, “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” This scripture caught me off guard. When I babble on and on, is it wrong? Ecclesiastes 10:14 says, “Yet the fool multiplies words.” Am I a fool? This question made me pause and wonder if I’m being foolish when I rattle on about this and that. Perhaps I should be silent sometimes or at least use fewer words.

During times of prayer, do I stop and listen? Do I sit in stillness and give God an opportunity to speak to me, through me, and in me? Is it only about the number of words I use, or is there a deeper issue? Perhaps I should consider purposefully using both silence and speech. We should be intentional in each.

It’s not wrong to speak, but mindless chatter is a waste. If I speak, let it be with purpose—to gently direct, love, show, testify, or encourage. Not careless whispers or unintentional conversation. I should use words intentionally to deliver life-giving messages to those who hear them.

Our silences should also be purposeful and intentional. During stillness, we meditate and contemplate the truths we learn from the Lord. We observe people to see where their needs might be and how we can practically benefit others. You have to get silent and observe to understand what’s happening around you. That’s wisdom.

Yet, if you were only silent, you would miss the opportunity to speak life to those around you. We shouldn’t prattle on mindlessly or remain completely silent, both will cause us to miss opportunities to bless others. I’ve heard people say God gave us two ears and one mouth to show us that we need to listen more than we speak. We need to be still, use our two eyes to observe, and our two ears to listen before we speak.

When you do this, the quality of your speech grows, and it will be more directed to the needs of others around you. My fellow believers, speak as wise people, with purpose. Listen as wise people so that you can see and hear ways you can minister and be Christ’s hands and feet to others. Listen and speak wisely, for our time is limited. We should make the most of every opportunity we have. Don’t just speak, listen. Don’t just listen, say something life-giving or do something life-giving. I challenge you to find the right balance in this area of your life, as I am challenging myself to do.