160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalm 119:160)

I grew up in a time when a man’s word was his bond. If someone said they would do something, you could bet it would get done. But words have lost their meaning today. They get spewed out at every corner and have less and less value.

I still live by my word being my bond and the fact that the sum of my words need to be less quantity and more quality. I have used this quote many times before, but it still holds true, “it is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”

Abraham Lincoln was attributed with that saying, but I believe it has its foundation in scripture. In many places scripture speaks to how our words need to be spoken in truth and love. To me, this does not require verbose speech, but a fervent action. Francis of Assissi said, “Preach the gospel always, use words when necessary.”

The sum of our words need to be founded in love and truth, not shouting others down. It is in this that we represent God in the best way possible.