Three times here in Proverbs 10 we find the words, "a babbling fool will come to ruin."
As disciples of Jesus, we are owned by our Creator. We have been purchased by and through His blood. Through the supernatural work of the Cross, we are now able to yield all that we are to Him; this includes allowing Him to control what we say, or don't say.
Sometimes, we fall short of His glory in this area because we fear what someone might think, and we keep our mouths shut when we should be unashamedly sharing about who Jesus is and what He's done for us. Or, perhaps, we are so self-focused on a given day that we forget about giving a word of encouragement or comfort to a brother or sister who really needs it.
But very often we sin by saying too much, by speaking at all when we should remain silent, instead of babbling on and on.
Our family was recently watching a comedian who illustrated this last point beautifully. He used the phrase, "Me Monster" to describe that monster inside of him who wants to assert himself into every conversation, always talking about "me, me me." Unfortunately, I could totally relate to what he was saying.
My Me Monster looks something like this: A friend is relating his experience to me, and I have no clue as to what he's saying because I want to blurt out what the all-important "I" have to say. I wait impatiently for my friend to take a breath, so I can jump in. I want him to think highly of me, to know that my experience is bigger and better than his, and that I am capable and wise.
But, at that moment, quite the opposite is true. At that moment, I am letting that old man who still exists inside of me to have his way. At that moment, far from being wise, I'm a babbling fool, not far from ruin.
God's Spirit in us is greater; greater than our Adversary, greater than this foolish, selfish Me generation that we live in, and greater than the presence of the old sinful nature that still, at least for a time, remains with us.
If in such moments I will yield my heart to Him, then my tongue will follow. My out-of-control tongue is symptomatic of my underlying heart condition ("for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" Luke 6:45). But, if I ask Him, God will give wisdom to my foolish heart (see James 1:5 and also chapter 3. Actually, just read the whole book of James!).
God's mercy reigns, His wisdom prevails. I'm free to listen to my friend. I can hear God's Spirit. I know that I am accepted by Him, that I don't have to prove myself to my friend, frantically trying to "one-up" what he's telling me because I think I'm better than he is. Pride goes out the window, I can rest, God's grace is evident in the conversation, His presence felt, He is magnified.
God, let our hearts rest in Your goodness, and help us yield to You in what we say or don't say.
