“Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.”
Proverbs 18:1-9 NLT
One of the profound truths of scripture is that it presents Jesus as being a man of few words. This is not to say that he was a man of few ideas. In fact, the apostle John notes that the world would overflow of everything about his words and deeds were to be recorded. Nonetheless, there are very words used to convey his ideas. Indeed, he was able to rebuke, rebut and call to repentance, very dynamic opponents, with only a single phrase. There is an example present here. God’s word does not require justification, nor does his wisdom. To this end, when people seek to justify it, they often end up displaying their lack of connection to it. Our words can display beautiful truths, but if they lack discipline, they can be a snare. We need to be careful about them. We need to be careful in their application, their presentation and their advocation. People would speak volumes more, if they could learn how to say it with fewer words. This is the crux of Solomon’s point. If your goal is communication, unending soliloquies won’t accomplish your task. Likewise self expression must sought to be understood to be of value. Therefore, we must tailor what we say to accomplish both. What good is copious amounts of words if they tell you nothing?
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