Talk Too Much

I have been known to talk too much. I’m actually trying to grow as a listener and do less talking. This is not an easy habit to break. I’m learning to be more comfortable with silence and choose my words more carefully. I’ve been told before that “God gave us two ears and one mouth on purpose”. We should listen twice as much as we talk. I’ve also been told to “keep quiet and make people think you’re smart, rather than open your mouth and reveal your ignorance.”

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying all talking is bad. I just think talking can get me into trouble way quicker than quiet listening can. James reminded us that no one can control the tongue. Check this out….

⁷ People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. (James 3:7-9 NLT)

King Hezekiah had just recovered from a life-threatening illness. The Lord gave him fifteen years more to live. He is visted by envoys from Babylon and he talks too much. Check this out….

 ¹ Soon after this, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift. He had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick and that he had recovered. ² Hezekiah was delighted with the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. (Isaiah 39:1-2 NLT)

Hezekiah talked way too much. In my opinion after his desperate prayer before the Lord, he should have asked the Lord about these envoys. I believe if he had asked God, he would have been polite, but talked a lot less and showed them very little behind the scenes in his kingdom.

My profession as a REALTOR is considered to be sales (talking), marketing (presentation) and service (follow-up). These all involve talking and doing. I would rather think of my business in reverse order:

1. Service – how can I help?
2. Marketing – show me the details.
3. Sales – what is it that you want?

If I’m trying to serve others well, I must listen carefully in order to hear their needs. Talking too much makes the process about me. I see my profession as a service profession. If I help others get what they want, I will be compensated for my service. I want to honor God in everything I do and say. My actions outweigh my words 100% of the time.

Pressing On!

Dwayne