The Mulitude of Words Prov. 10 :9 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Open your mouth too much and sin – Multitude of words

You’ll end up blaming someone other than the guilty party – (Gen 3:12)  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.  It is a sin to blame someone else for something that is not their fault.

You’ll end up lying – You’ll cross up the details and get caught the next time you answer [i.e. depositions and trial testimony] – Children’s lies – they make this stuff up rather than just coming out and giving you the straight answer – you ask, “Did you go to the lake?” – the answer is yes or no – when they go into an elaborate story they are lying – It is a sin to lie

You’ll end up evading the truth – You’ll lose others’ trust in what you say – like Politicians – you ask them if they approve of a certain platform or bill and the answer is either yes or no – when they go into an elaborate story they are either decided and they don’t want you to know or else they are undecided but they don’t want you to know that they don’t know what they are talking about – or they don’t want you to know upon what they are going to decide the matter in the future [i.e. based on lobbyist pressure; special interest group, etc.].  It is a sin to evade the truth [Matt 5:37] – the underlying motive is to keep from getting put on the spot or to keep from getting caught.

Don’t think that by refusing to answer you can escape for long – (Mat 21:27)  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. – the answer should have been either from heaven or of men – Compare Simon’s answer in Lk 7:43 with Peter’s answer in Matt 17:26 – both of these men were caught in an illustration – one just came out and gave the answer while the other hedged a bit – that is very instructive – you are known by your multitude of words – you’ll end up looking guilty even if you aren’t.

Refrain your lips and be wise –

The short answer is the best answer – Prov 17:27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.  Prov 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Just answer yes or no to yes or no questions – they say of the witness he/she is being non-responsive when giving a long answer – (Mat 5:37)  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Listen carefully to the question before you jump on the answer – (James 1:19)  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: