The “gift of gab” is not a call to be a teacher or a preacher. We have had enough ad libbers! This is why God often calls a Moses who is slow of speech or an Amos who is called and is self-effacing about the assignment. Those who have a great estimation of themselves often thwart or distort the message. Talking can twist God’s truth; it can lead folks astray and cause them to stumble. Speeches have often wrecked whole nations and the ship of state gets stuck in the shoals. Churches have been split by unbridled tongues; folks have been sent away broken and disillusioned. Be careful what you say and how you say it. Our speech must be “seasoned with salt” and saturated with love.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” (James 3:1–5a ESV).
