TALK IS CHEAP.....

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil….. – Psalm 141:3 & 4

Many times visitors to our mountainous area find our southern drawl and mountain lingo humorous. And though I will agree, we do add a twist of laughter to our language, I’ll be the first to admit, the wisdom locked within the confines of the southern dialect is unique. For example, we have saying in the Appalachians, “Talk is cheap.”

When we first spout that phrase for listeners, people would think we like conversation and that it’s a cheap form of recreation. Well, you might be right to an extent, but the wisdom beneath that phrase “crawls deep into the soul.” The real meaning behind this phrase is simple. The value of your words is priceless, so when you speak do you do what you’ll say you’ll do?

We become so tied up in the hoop-la of our daily schedules that we haphazardly tell others we’ll do things yet we never do. Joe might say, “Don’t worry, I’ll mow the church yard,” but he never does. Or Lillian might tell her child, “Momma will let you go play at Liz’s after school,” but she never does. You see – Talk is cheap. If we continually tell others we’ll say or do something but we never do, then our word becomes worthless.

The Word of God is priceless and infallible. Throughout the ages God has told His people what He had planned, warned them numerous times to change their ways – yet when they fail to listen, to obey, then His next step was the follow through. The Father’s word has stood the trials of time and nothing has ever been able to squelch it. Even in a country where men are trying relentlessly to do away with the mighty Word, God will not be erased.

Before you speak, before you offer, be sure the words that you are about to utter are things which hold heart and you have the intention of carrying through with what you promise. Choose wisely the things you say about others. Guard what comes from your mouth. Remember, talk is cheap so make your words valuable.