This morning, with my first sip of coffee barely registering, I read this—Do not let your mouth lead you into sin (Ecclesiastes 5).

I next turned to the right in my Bible, and met this caution sign—Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly (2 Timothy 2).

Might the Lord be sending a message?

Two warnings, written 1,000 years apart, both materializing before me in my early morning stupor. I should probably stop typing right now and let this all settle, but I’ll risk one thought before I go.

Meaningless chatter engulfs us. We swim in it, and avoiding it takes active measures. I make conscious efforts to turn off social media, to delete apps from my phone, to tune out radio talk shows. But the chatter shows no mercy.

Paul gives the antidote—the word of truth. As opposed to a fetid well of blather, the word of truth springs up with brightness and clarity. Its freshness remains life giving. Paul encourages his protege Timothy, along with me and you, to learn to correctly handle this marvelous gift.

Now I’ll stop typing.

Ecclesiastes 5 & 2 Timothy 2 in week twenty-seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo of Big Spring, Missouri thanks to the National Park Service