Do women talk more than men? You may have read how women use 20,000 words a day compared to the 7,000 that men utter. It stems back to a 1993 marriage guidance pamphlet and strangely used by Brizendine, a neuropsychiatrist in his 2006 book, which, after being challenged promised to remove the figures in future editions. Comparing all the research that has been done over the years then the difference between who uses more words is negligible.
But here is another question: what is coming out of our mouths within the testing time?
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1 v 26)
There is a language of the world and a language of the Kingdom of God which is very different.
Remember the story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. At one point he carries the beautiful maiden high into the towers. They are talking to each other and he begins to weep. She asks him, “What’s wrong?” He replies, “I never knew how ugly I was until I saw how beautiful you are.” In the same way the vocabulary of a Christian can expose the empty words of a non-believer. This can be seen especially during a testing moment.
The words that flow from the Spirit-filled believer is like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16 v24).
When you speak, Jesus speaks. When people listen to you, they listen to Jesus.
Our responsibility is to choose words to use during the tough season.
- A tight rein means you won’t be fooled to overlook any wrong you have committed.
- A tight rein means your inward holiness is displayed to the world.
- A tight rein means you make what you believe valuable.
- A tight rein means you don’t add to the hurt that has already taken place.
- A tight rein exposes other people’s sin.
- A tight rein means that you won’t face any regrets.
Missions Paul 