As a man of many words, I hate how right this proverb is: “Sin is not ended by multiplying words” (Proverbs 10:19). Like the apostle Peter, some of us say exponentially more than our classmates or coworkers or family members and, in the process, we sin. 

Do you ever talk a ton and only later realize that you didn’t really listen to anyone else? You told another story, another joke, shared another experience, jumped in and interrupted again, as if everyone in the room is so enamored by you. Do you ever get in the car afterward and only then think, “Why did I say that? Why didn’t I listen more or ask more questions?” All of us are proud, but some of us are just proud out loud.

Maybe that’s why Peter, the talker, talked about the gospel like this: “When they hurled their insults at [Jesus], he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). The Word didn’t say a word. Jesus suffered, but he didn’t spout sinful words at his enemies. He shut his mouth and gave his life so that our sinful, boastful, unthoughtful words were nailed to the cross of Jesus. 

That’s why Satan won’t be able to say a word against you on the day of judgment. That’s why your Father says good things about you even today, even if you are the most talkative kid in his holy family.