Check these out:

• Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence. –Spanish Proverb
• Never miss a good chance to shut up. –Will Rogers
• The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? —
  Ecclesiastes 6:11

We speak thousands of words every day. Good words, bad words, criticized words. We’re so flippant with our words; quick to criticize, quick to slander. We stab and we injure and we hurt, argue. we swear multiple times each day using words. It’s said that both men and women speak more than 27.000 words combined daily. But talking too much is not cool. God calls us to let our words be few in prayer, in conversations, yes, in every sphere of life.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 – Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; let your words be few.

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger

Here is why:

It is just plain common sense that keeps you from sinning

It shows that you are not a fool. Only fools talk a lot. It shows that you are trustworthy. Only fools cannot be trusted. The bible says, when words multiply sin is not absent. It is not only a sin against the hearer, it is also a waste of the hearer’s precious time. But when words are few, gossip, exaggeration, lies, and embellishments of our stories are far from our lips. Integrity is at it’s best.

It shows that you are smart, intelligent and spiritually mature

A man whose tongue is always wagging, is doing a serious injury to his own intellectual and spiritual nature. It is never a smart thing to be a man/woman of many words. Plato said, “As empty vessels make the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.” But, when words are few, we display a certain kind of intellectual class and spiritual maturity.

It also shows one’s interest in others, new ideas, and one’s willingness to learn

Somebody once said, “a talkative will soon stop thinking; his mental faculties will soon fall into disuse under the constant pressure of verbosity.” When we listen to others we learn from them, even if we think we are smarter than they are. You will be surprised where you find wisdom or sometimes, simple, common sense.  When words are few, we are able to learn something new.

It helps you avoid common relational problems

One of the reasons why there is strife, fighting and quarreling in our relationships is due to a lack of listening. We talk too much. We want our voice to be heard; and in the process we ignore to the voices of others. And if others are just like you, there is going to be strife. But, when words are few, we are better able to avoid fights and quarrels.

It teaches us the power of faith

When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! When words are few in prayer, we prove to God how confident we are in him.

It’s going to keep your from falling under God’s judgment

Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. This is a big deal. This verse makes it all the more important that we be wise in the use of our words. Too much of it and our abuse of it can put us in trouble not only with men but also with God.