Less Talk, Less Sin. No Talk, No Sin?

Back when I was in high school,  I had a funny favorite way of avoiding “recitation” at Sunday School. My teacher would ask all of us to share and explain how a particular verse or chapter is applicable or relevant to us. This technique I am about to share with you was an offshoot of an earlier lesson about how we sin when we open our mouth and we are so quick in judging or giving opinion or lying, or gossiping- you get the picture. And because the tongue is like a double edged sword, we became conscious of what comes out of our mouth and unless we use it to edify and such, we save our breath and our saliva.

We pretty much arrived at “less talk, less sin”.  But knowing me, I always go the extreme, so one Sunday he asked me to expound on our bible reading and I just looked at him and did sign language.  All my friends were worried because they thought I lost my voice. So I kept doing the sign language and it became a funny game of charade. They all started giggling, asking me for a vowel or two or how many syllables were there, etc. So in the end, we all ended up laughing. My confused teacher asked me what just happened and I said, well you said “less talk, less sin”. So I figured “no talk, no sin”. Well, I thought it was funny.

I shared that because my devotion this morning refreshed and energized my spirit. Sometimes, I  ask myself if what I’m really saying makes sense or not? Is my writing really helping or not?  Sometimes, I refuse to share for fear that I might say the wrong things or appear like a fool, do you also get that feeling?

I prayed and said “speak to me and I will listen. Talk to me God.” So as I was reading Isaiah 55, (fantastic chapter), the Lord spoke to my heart when He said in Isaiah 55:11-12

so is my word that goes out of my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

When we worry about what we do or say for Christ, we reduce Him to nothing and we discount His ability to work in people’s lives.  It is easy to say ( though jokingly) that ” no talk, no sin”  is the best,  but talking or writing for God and His kingdom can and will potentially harvest souls and refresh tired followers. 

1. His word refreshes. (Deuteronomy 32:2)
2. His word nourishes. (I Corinthians 3:6)
3. His words are the truth and will make all knees to bend, praise and give Him glory ( Isaiah 45:23)

Do you sometimes worry if what we are doing is pointless? Do you wonder if anyone even reads our blog?

Take joy and know that somewhere out there someone is thirsty,   hungry, and needing encouragement. Someone out there is lost and need the Lord.  It is not us, but God. It is not our wisdom but God’s power and compassion.

So keep spreading, keep planting and keep writing!