I’ve decided to begin Speak Life! with a series “Lessons from the Book of Proverbs.” Though the Bible speaks clearly on issues of communication and interpersonal relationships throughout the 66 books, none addresses these issues so richly throughout the entirety of the book than Proverbs. In the book of Proverbs, we see there is a connection between wisdom, knowledge and speaking. Proverbs also tells us listening to correction is wise, and that what you say reveals what is in your heart. The first part of the series addresses when we talk too much.
Coming of age in the 1980‘s, I remember when most of hip hop was clean, fun and often times had a message. One of my favorite groups was Run D.M.C. They had a song, that though was not as popular of as some of their other hits, over 25 years later, it easily came to mind while I was reading the Bible recently. The song is, “You Talk Too Much.” Its about a young man, who in Run D.M.C.’s opinion needs to “shut up.” The lyrics are comical to me:
Hey! You over there, I know about your kind
You're like the Independent Network News on Channel 9
Everywhere that you go, no matter where you at
I said you talk about this, and you talk about that
When the cat took your tongue, I say you took it right back
Your mouth is so big, one bite would kill a Big Mac...
You talk too much Homeboy you never SHUT UP!
Ok, so I am not advocating that we should tell others to shut up, but perhaps we should consider it for ourselves. This song came mind when I was recently reading the Book of Proverbs and came across Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Like many women, I love a good conversation and there is nothing wrong with that. But, consider the times when we need to stop talking--when our timing to address an issue is poor; when we defiantly want to bring up an issues, but don’t have all the facts; when what we have to say does not contribute to the issues, person, or situation positively; when we are angry. The more we talk, the more of an opportunity we have to be hurtful to another person. I’ve learned the hard way that every opinion does not need to be shared. Every nugget of information about another person does not need to be repeated--even if it is true. Every issues does not have to be addressed at the moment I want to address it.
Who would have thought that Run DMC would have anything in common with Proverbs? Yet, both provide a valuable lesson. “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28). Run DMC was good, but you can’t get any better than the Bible!
