PODCAST
Measured Words
November 10th, 2012
Proverbs 10:11-21
I once heard the story of how Thomas Edison was introduced at a dinner. The Master of Ceremonies mentioned Edison’s many inventions, mentioning specifically “the talking machine” as he referred to the telephone. When Edison got up to speak, the aged inventor smiled and said, “I thank the gentleman for his kind remarks, but I must insist upon a correction. God invented the talking machine. I only invented the first one that can be shut off.”
Some people have a hard time shutting off the talking machine. Since we have two ears and only one mouth, some have suggested it would be wise to listen twice as much as we speak. Unfortunately, few people seem to heed that admonition. And when we fail to limit our words, our many words often get us in trouble.
Maybe it would be good for us to be reminded that we will give an account for every idle word we speak. How would that change your conversations today? Perhaps the best rule for talking is the same one carpenters use: measure twice and saw once. Let’s slow down and measure our words before they are spoken.
November 10th, 2012 at 5:28 am
“Let’s slow down and measure our words before they are spoken,”
Mark 4:24
Luke 6:38
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/use
November 10th, 2012 at 11:37 am
If history serves me correctly, I believe Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Thomas Alva Edison invented the phonograph (which was a “talking machine”). Edison also invented the light bulb. Morse, invented the Morse Code and the telegraph and Marconi had much to do with the first radio. Perhaps it would serve us well to review history for the great matter of rediscovering our heritage.
November 10th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Thanks for catching that. In thinking back to those history lessons in school (which was a long time ago), Bell did invent the telephone. I don’t remember any references to a talking machine. I, aso, don’t remember my schooling referencing a phonogragh. The school I attended probably didn’t think that phonographs were an important invention.
The point was humorous but as a matter of fact (with the words that he was quoted to have said), he didn’t give God any credit for his knowledge, either.
The inventions of the computer, internet, and conversing for all to see can be very humbling. Therefore, the words in Hebrews 12:1 might be advisable to follow.