Proverbs 21 28 says a false witness shall perish but the man that heareth speaketh constantly We discussed this proverb previously and clarified that the basic truth here is that the liar ends up being destroyed by his or her lies because one lie leads to another and eventually the liar gets caught up in his or her lies. But the other man on the other side who's dealing with the liar is safe to keep talking because he tells the truth and he doesn't have to worry about being caught up in lies because he's not a false witness. However, the phrase, speaketh constantly, needs some clarification because it doesn't mean that he talks endlessly and just is always running at the mouth. There's a crude term for that called diarrhea of the mouth, but the wise man doesn't talk incessantly, but he can talk anytime it's fitting. and he is consistent. He doesn't have diarrhea of the mouth, and he doesn't lie. Proverbs 29, 11 says, a fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. So our proverb isn't saying that an honest, wise man talks incessantly and endlessly, but he can speak freely. but with constraint, as any wise, honest man would. He doesn't have to worry about contradicting himself or exposing lies that he's told because he doesn't lie. The wise and honest man is a man who controls his tongue, and when he does speak, he speaks honestly. Or in some cases, he may say something like, I'm not sure if this is true, but... And he then presents something that he's thinking about or something he's heard from others, but it's not presented in the form of a fact. It's something that he's seeking additional clarification from others on. or as we read back in Proverbs 1.5, a wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. The wise and honest man or woman speaks, but only when they have something true and honest and wise to say, or when they are asking for or seeking additional information, answers, or clarification. Another great example that we discussed is in Proverbs 9.9 that says, Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser. Teach a just man and he will increase in learning. The wise, honest man or woman is teachable because he or she seeks to learn truth and grow in knowledge before speaking, so that their words will not mislead others or cause confusion. And that's how it ought to be. Again, Proverbs 18.13 says, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. God's children should be the type who speak the truth, use our words sparingly, and stand in company with those who share that same spirit of truth, especially when it is the Spirit of God who lives inside of God's born-again saints. The spirit of God in us, the spirit of truth, should then cause truth to come out of us. As 1 Peter 3.10 says, for he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile. It's really sad, but over the years, there were people in just about every church that I've attended and among some coworkers who claim to be Christians, and everyone knew they were a bad source of information. They embellished and always seemed to one-up everybody when someone else is telling a story. They always had the bigger story. And their hunger for attention actually cost them their credibility. And sadly, the unsaved people in that person's life lose all respect for that person as well. It will ruin your testimony and ruin your ability to be a witness to lost loved ones, friends, neighbors, co-workers. May our words be true so that others can trust the information that they get from us and so that our witness for Jesus Christ will be heard by the lost souls that we speak to. May we do so in the name of Jesus. Amen.