The Foolishness of Wanting to Talk All the Time . . . Proverbs 18:2

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. Proverbs 18:2

What can be said of someone who always wants everyone to hear what he thinks.  We know that the Bible tells us in James that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak.  There is a great deal of wisdom in knowing that we should stop and think about the deficiencies of our own knowledge before telling the whole world what we think or what is in our own mind and heart.  

This proverb tells us that a person who does not take pleasure and delight in better understanding is a fool.  The fool doesn't think he needs better insight or more information.  He does not search out things that would increase his intelligence 0r expand his understanding of things - especially those that involve seeing things from God's point of view.  The fool thinks that he possesses enough knowledge and understanding.  He is overconfident in his own intelligence and therefore thinks the best thing is for him to show his greatness and wisdom by revealing his mind to anyone who will listen. 

Self-satisfaction with our own wisdom is a very dangerous malady - if we don't want to look like a fool when we speak.  I've heard it said that the reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth is that we should listen twice as much as we speak.  The ability to learn is a blessing - and when we do not have a teachable spirit we place ourselves in a very proud and arrogant place.  God will have to humble such a man.  Thus, when someone always wants to be speaking and seldom wants to be listening - he will not be a wise man.  When my mouth is running - my ears are usually ineffective in helping me grasp wisdom. 

The know-it-all and the blustery fool both have the same problem.  They spend so much of their time telling everyone what is in their own mind - that they have little time left to put anything else in there.  Their ideas and beliefs are seldom challeneged and refined, so there is much room for error and mistakes.  It is only as we cultivate a heart that will listen to the Lord and to others that we will truly become men and women of wisdom.  So next time you really don't want to listen in a conversation, but rather are itching to tell your point of view, step back for a moment and think.  Am I by speaking so often letting everyone truly partake of wisdom - or instead am I proving more and more to them my utter lack thereof?