Controlling the Tongue in the Book of Ecclesiastes

2024-10-15

“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Because we read, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1), there are times to speak and times to hold our peace. We need discretion from the LORD to know the difference.

Consider Ecclesiastes 5:1-6. This is the best case for never making a vow to the LORD. There may be a temptation to make promises to God when caught up in the emotions during worship. Rather, we should be in a place to hear the Word rather than to make vows. If you do make a vow, you must pay it and not tell Him later that it was some sort of mistake! We are held responsible for every vow.

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?” (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14). The kindness of the wise man contrasts with the words of the fool. While the fool’s words are unkind, they will come back to haunt him when people respond in kind. The fool also always has something to say, even when he does not understand the subject he speaks about. How many people have you met that talk even if they do not understand the subject? They pretend to be knowledgeable even though they know nothing. And the worst part are the others around him that are impressed by his speech and promote him.