Picture this: you are invited to a girls night at a friend’s house. Supper, fellowship, card games, are all on the agenda. You sit around the table with four or five other ladies. Conversation begins and everyone is participating. Then you notice her. She begins to dominate basically every conversation. When she jumps in to be part of the discussion then she handcuffs everyone into a lengthy story and gives little time for anyone else to add to the conversation. She speaks one hundred miles an hour and barely pauses to take a breath. On top of all that, you realize that she is a “one-upper.” No matter what the story might be; a hardship, a miracle, a funny situation, she has experienced more.
Unfortunately many times people like the one mentioned above tend to turn people off. People begin to zone out or sometimes even leave the conversation altogether. On the other hand, sometimes we come in contact with those people who don’t say a whole lot, but when they do speak it is worth leaning into. You know they have calculated exactly what they are wanting to say and are speaking from a place of preparation and wisdom. In Proverbs, the author talks about the power of a few words.
“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” Proverbs 17:27-28
Lots of people like to talk and lots of people enjoy hearing themselves talk. People of few words seem to be ones that others value what they have to say. People who are even-tempered tend to lend themselves to fewer words as those who become angry find themselves spouting off. The even-tempered people seem to be well respected by those around them. There are several benefits of keeping quiet and using a few words. It is wise to keep quiet if you have nothing worthwhile to say, otherwise you will end up speaking things you weren’t intending to. When you keep quiet you allow more time for listening and learning.
Think about yourself in social settings. Do you tend to dominate the conversation and speak without thinking? Do you jump in at every possible moment to add your thoughts and even “one-up” those who are having conversation? Do you tend to “over-talk” and end up getting yourself in trouble because of the things you have shared? It is important that we ask for God’s help to monitor our speech and to limit our conversation when no words or fewer words need to be spoken. Pray that He will help us keep an even demeanor throughout the process as that is vital for friendship and interaction.
This devotional was written by Amy Carrico of Making the Moments Matter. Click HERE to follow her on Facebook!
Last Updated on August 29, 2025
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