“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.”

The phrase chattering fool actually translates to “the fool of lips.” That’s a pretty clear way of describing someone who does not speak wisely. Other translations express it as “loose lips.” Longfellow wrote, “The fool is chastised by his lips.” In other words, when someone speaks hastily, foolishly, or arrogantly, it often comes back on them negatively. Often—perhaps too often—we tend to judge people by the words they say. Their words can reveal that they have not been listening, not only to wise counsel but even to alternative perspectives. Prideful and arrogant people often operate as though they do not need direction, instruction, or certainly not rebuke. As a result, they rely solely on their own counsel. In the same way the old saying that a person who represents himself in a legal matter has a fool for a client, someone who listens only to his own beliefs and ideas has a fool for a counselor. Wisdom is not necessarily found in the person who speaks the most. It is found in the person whose heart is wise in the Lord and who has learned to submit to and follow the counsel of God. Spending time regularly in God’s Word gives us access to the wisest counsel in the universe. Listening to others who do the same also provides access to wise counsel. Today, let the truth of God direct your steps. #BeTheEdge

“to be made new in the attitude of your minds;” Ephesians 4:23 NIV