He Don't Say Much

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5:12

Wait a minute. Is this verse telling us to be thrifty with our talk, only saying yes and no??

There is an old quote by a comedian about the previous US President Calvin Coolidge, which said “He don’t say a lot, but when he talks, he don’t say a lot”. That’s all well and good, and a nice quote to pass on, but what if you are faced with it in your own conversations? What if you want to know someone a little better because you think they have had an interesting life. Or maybe you have been introduced to a celebrity and you start up a conversation only to find it is one way and you are doing all the talking. Irritating to say the least, and probably infuriating!

We don’t all have the gift of the gab, or been to Blarney to kiss the stone, but really? Does it have to be so much hard work to talk? Most of us can hold a decent chat, even with a stranger we have just met, and there are some folks whose job depends on it. When you see your doctor, you expect him or her to talk so that they can get to the bottom of your ailment. If you are caught speeding or shoplifting, you need your lawyer to put forward a good defence to the judge. A fundamental skill of a hospital nurse is to talk to ease your worry and therefore speed your treatment and recovery. On a lighter note, you come home hiding a secret from your wife. It may be a nice surprise, but do you really think she will let you off with a yes, no, maybe and ok? I didn’t think so.

Why then is it not evident to the one you are speaking with when they respond in monosyllabic words, without even trying to make conversation? For a start it’s rude, and it does nothing for the intention you have of breaking the ice, or getting to know them better. In fact, you are turned off, and there is less chance you will get caught that way again, so you avoid chat altogether, and only indulge when placed in a situation you can’t avoid. As I think about it, I am smiling because you will be the one that’s embarrassed, not the person with no communication skills. And at the end of the day, that is what it is, communication. We learn it in Nursery, and hone the skill through school until you have it covered. Apparently there are some who have not been to that particular school of life, and I don’t know if I should be annoyed with them, or feel some pity. The problem is I can’t ask them!!! As Christians I believe we are expected to be able to talk, to communicate even at a basic level. So, does the Bible say anything about our God given gift of communication? It does, so how about these good words for starters…..

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18

In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

1 Peter 3:15