One of the problems that I have struggled with in my
life is talking when I should be quiet. 
I am very challenged to just sit and listen.  I often begin to share my opinions even when
I have not been asked for them.  When I
am talking with someone and they pause to consider a word to use in what they
are trying to tell me, I am tempted to “fill in” the word for them.  I have often had people look at me with
frustration and tell me that the word I offered is not what they were
thinking.  I guess I’m not the best
“mind-reader.”

Today I read these verses that really convicted
me.  “Keep
thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for
they consider not that they do evil.  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not
thine heart be hasty to utter any
thing before God: for God is in
heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let
thy words be few.  For a dream cometh
through the multitude of business; and a
fool’s voice is known by
multitude of words” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3).

Talk about conviction! 
What great truth is taught in these three verses! I love the Bible for
how well it knows me and my struggles, and how it speaks directly to them.  I have asked God to help me to be more
careful with my words, and to help me to be less willing to blurt out whatever
hits my mind as it comes and far more cautious. 
When I go to the house of God, I ought to be going there to gain all I
can from the Word of God that will be taught or preached than I am to share all
my opinions!  I think that a great deal
of our problems in church could be solved by simply following the teaching of
these verses.

I believe that these verses are also teaching that we
need to realize the power of our words. 
A few words spoken from the heart with the leading of the Holy Spirit
can be far more effective than many words that are “man-made.”  I have heard some very intelligent people
making great speeches that I have felt were simply them enjoying the sound of
their own voice.  I have heard very
simple, humble people, without great deals of education speak a few words with
great wisdom.

I want to be careful with my words today.  I want to be a humble, Spirit-filled man today
who will hold my words when the time is not right for speaking.  I want to be a Spirit-filled man who will
speak, even a few words, that will carry the mark of having spent time with God
and that will demonstrate the influence of the Holy Spirit in my life.