Ears Open - Mouth Shut
I told my friend, "If you would just cut off your tongue you would avoid 95% of your problems." I loved this guy but you could always tells when he was going to say something stupid. You could tell because he would open his mouth and begin to speak and, sure enough, out would come something stupid.
This passage in Ecclesiastes was probably written with him in mind.
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:1, 2)
What great advice! When we come before God come to listen more than to speak. After all, if you were invited to meet the President, or any dignitary, when you came into their presence you would not begin chattering away (like my aforementioned friend would and did). You would wait to be spoken to. You would come to listen first.
Yet, often when we come to God we rush in motor-mouthing our "shopping list" and then rush off to accomplish all the "important' things we have to do that day. What could be more important than spending a few moments with the King, getting His counsel, direction and advice for the day?
We have been given two ears and only one mouth for a purpose - to listen at least twice as much as we speak. Plus, ever notice our Designer made us so we can shut our mouth but not our ears? I think He was trying to tell us something.
_________________
James 1:19 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Created 3 months ago
