Cheap Talk

SOME people have a comment to make on virtually every subject. They never say, “I don’t know,” or just listen in order to learn something. They just spout off their uninformed opinions to any willing listener. Proverbs calls such persons fools (Proverbs 18:2).

Talk is cheap partly because it is easily available. The Book of Proverbs offers some principles to help us evaluate the worth of our words:

• Sometimes the wisest course is to keep quiet. We need to weigh our thoughts and words carefully if we intend to be helpful (Proverbs 11:12; 17:27-28).
• The one thing we never want to talk about is a confidence with which we have been entrusted (Proverbs 11:13).
• If we know how to use words, we can accomplish noble ends—for example, defusing a heated situation (Proverbs 15:1-2).
• We need to watch what we say. Our mouth can get us in deep trouble (Proverbs 18:6-7).
• If we give our opinion on a matter before hearing the facts, we will tend to bring shame on ourselves (Proverbs 18:13).

Talk is cheap, but easy talk can be expensive. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time can lead to unfortunate consequences (Proverbs 18:21).

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.