The Bible Column - Avoid foolish talk

“…but doting about questions and strifes of words, wherof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,” I Timothy 6:4
The story is told of two professors who were arguing the grammatical correctness of sayings, “The hen was sitting” or “the hen was setting”. Unable to agree, they asked a local farmer for his thought and explanation. His reply was different than they had expected. “The question of sitting or setting”, he said, “I do not know nor do I care. What I want to know, is when that hen cackles, is she laying or lying.”
Sometimes we can find ourselves or someone that we know, sidetracked about words to no profit. (2 Timothy 2:14) The Bible further warns against, “foolish questions…for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus 3:9) Again in II Timothy 2:23 we read, “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. We are to shun profane and vain babblings. (II Timothy 2:16)
Clearly, there are many matters that are not optional. But, when the conversation turns to words of no profit, we need stop right there.
Oh, the wisdom of God to us through the Bible. This week, may we use the God given ability to refrain from the wrong kind of talk. The Lord is able to help us in this matter too!