Stop talking

Have you ever met anyone who just can't stop talking? You want to tell them something, you need their help, but instead you walk away confused or wondering if they'll ever listen.
Proverbs 10:18-19 says, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When the words are many, sin is not absent but he who holds his tongue is wise."
First of all we have got to be careful not to spread slander. Not to gossip about others. Gossip is one of the most powerful tools in tearing down others. I have about 20 kids in our Homeless Coalition who come over and hang out all the time with me. Last Monday I had 13, two kids in the group had been telling two different groups a lot of things that weren't true about the other. So the end result was a fight last weekend which has made it impossible for me to get them back together. I don't think I have to go too far to explain the damage that is done in gossiping.
Then, it states that when we talk too much, sin is not absent. Talking too much can lead us to say things we shouldn't. So make sure when you talk you say what needs to be said and nothing more. This will keep us from saying things that could hurt the person we're talking to, or damage their image of another.
I often times sit down with people who are having problems. I can tell you of one time in particular where I was sitting with a couple for almost an hour, I bet I uttered no more than 10 words the whole time. They stood up, thanked me for helping them and said they were so glad I talked to them. It's important that we start becoming a better listener than talker.
In my training last week for sexual and domestic violence, I saw this come to life. I was trained to be able to answer a crisis hotline. People could be calling for all sorts of issues, but my number one job in helping them was allowing them to talk. When someone is in a crisis, you're not going to fix it by telling them how you feel, or what they should do. You have to first comfort them and let them know that you are there for them, and then you just listen. Let them lead the call, let them share all that they want to share, and then you tell them who and how they can get help.
So thanks for reading, and make sure you listen more than you talk. It will make all of your relationships better, and help you avoid a slip of the tongue.
Have a great day!