Sunday Reflection: Loose Lips, Sink Ships

I admit, I’m a Big Brother fan. In real life it does nothing for the good of mankind or me—absolutely nothing. It’s a voyeuristic show that gives up different personalities mixed with different backgrounds in a social experiment like no other for TV.

This season’s winner was a cop. Prior to taping the show, he told how he would not disclose his job title or his background as an undercover detective, during his time in the house with the other housemates. It would be a strategic decision to use his knowledge as a cop and his profiling skills to win the money. Part of his success, on the show, came from using attentiveness and his listening skills verses doing the talking.  He would then use the information he learned to earn the trust of the others. Everyone seemed liked him, and he seemed to genuinely like the others, but he was there to win. In the end, (I think) some of the others felt betrayed by his tactics.

Nevertheless, listening more than talking may have helped him win this season’s prize. Refraining from shooting off his mouth, like the others did, clearly gave him an advantage.

Whether they are well thought out or spouted out with no forethought words are powerful. It’s kind of like the old adage, “Loose lips sink ships”. Our words can build or destroy.

The Bible talks about using words.

He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction goes astray.

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,

And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,

But he who restrains his lips is wise.

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;

The heart of the wicked is worth little.

The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of wisdom. Proverbs 10:17-21 (NIV)

Taking a second or two to consider our word choice (or none at all) before they come from our mouths may save a life—our own. J

Blessings,

Teresa