Research reveals that the average person speaks between 5,000 and 15,000 words each day. Depending on which research findings you read, the number could be even higher, varying between 5,000 and 40,000! Whatever the actual number is, one thing is sure: Most of us use a lot of words. Who knew we were so chatty?
Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, thought deeply about the purpose of life and humanity’s relation to the divine. In the middle of his search for answers, he included a short passage on speaking to God, specifically when you’re in His “house.”
“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).
This passage reminds me of Job and his lengthy discussions with friends about their Creator. Late in the discussion God seems to have heard enough and says, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? . . . Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much” (Job 38:2-4). God helps us see that words spoken in haste to Him are idle—even disrespectful.
Does this mean that we can’t “pray without ceasing”? (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV). Of course not. Do these passages mean we can’t lament before God? No, they don’t mean that either (Psalm 5:2; Matthew 27:46). What they do mean is that God deserves our best words. In the thousands of words we speak each day, may He receive our finest (Psalm 145:3).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 42:1-38
More:
Read Psalm 96:1-13 and be reminded of the praiseworthiness of God. Let your imagination and your words be captured by His goodness.
Next:
How will you praise and worship God with your words today? What are some fresh ways you can communicate your love for Him?
Gary Shultz on January 26, 2017 at 5:30 am
Hi Andy: Okay, I’ll be foolish enough to get in my regular amount of verbiage, so I remain consistent. It’s strange, by now you would think I would know about how and what others think, but I, myself, have chat running through my head all day. I will give you this Andy, most of it is not of any benefit, day dreams and chatter. What you have done in this post, what I am trying now, is disciplining the mind to use the time wisely. So, I do agree with you we should use the best words, and we should be using the best thoughts that scatter through our minds. As we are told, discipline our/your minds. In that discipline comes better thoughts, thoughts of greater weight, and I would want to give them to God; however, it would seem God knows all of our thoughts. So we have this processing department before we speak, or write for that matter, if we start with our thoughts I hope our tongues would follow. Thanks Andy
don777 on January 26, 2017 at 6:29 am
I don’t know what to say I’m kinda speechless 🙂
4everthankful on January 26, 2017 at 8:48 am
Enough said!
hsnpoor on January 26, 2017 at 8:32 pm
Well said! I want to follow suit, but also want to share that immediately upon reading Andy’s words about offering our “best” words to God, it made me think just exactly what would that be; sound like; look like? Though the Psalms cited and much of God’s word is instructive, I can’t say that really sounds like me. But one thing I am sure of is that I need to commune with God as soon as I awake in the morning BEFORE I do anything else. I’m not necessarily my “best” first thing in the morning, but I don’t feel like I could go to far wrong if thanking God for a new day, full of new mercies, is my first thought when I awake. It kind of sets the tone for the day.
4everthankful on January 26, 2017 at 8:49 am
Marlena Graves on January 26, 2017 at 9:27 am
Andy,
I really enjoyed this perspective and admonition. Thank you!
Warmly,
Marlena