As sports fans, we love to cheer and shout while watching games in stadium stands or sitting at home in front of our TVs.

We think by voicing our opinions and giving out critiques, our teams will be motivated to play harder. We also believe our duty is to make sure the refs know when they mess up, so we don’t hesitate from yelling out their mistakes.

Although this type of behavior is generally accepted at most sporting events, golf has typically exhibited an atmosphere of decorum. Fans and patrons have always been expected to respect the game by knowing the appropriate times to be quiet and to cheer.

For the most part, golf fans are reasonable and show self-restraint. However, there can be obnoxious “get in the hole” guys who don’t know when to be silent on the course, and who annoyingly show up just to be heard.

Golf tournament crowds may be heading in a direction similar to other sports fans. This past weekend at the Genesis Open, concerns were raised about the golfers having to deal with a raucous crowd.

Justin Thomas said, “It was pretty wild this first couple days. It was all right for a little bit today, but there at the end it got a little out of hand. I guess it’s a part of it now, unfortunately. I wish it wasn’t. I wish people didn’t think it was so amusing to yell and all that stuff while we’re trying to hit shots and play.”

The truth is, we’re living in a world with lots of noise all around us. People are constantly talking – whether voicing their opinions on TV or having their say on social media.

Wouldn’t we all benefit by remaining silent for a change? Having our own “Shhh guy,” like the one who holds up the “Quiet Please” sign at a golf tournament, would probably do us all some good.

Just like golf fans need to refrain from unnecessary outbursts, we also need to wait for the right moment to speak when interacting with others.

Let’s take to heart the words of wisdom found in Proverbs 10:19(NLT): “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

We could all use a slower trigger with our words – listening more intently to our spouse…biting our tongue in fruitless political debates…and being still to hear the voice of God.

James 1:19 (AMP) offers us great encouragement: “Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving].”

There is tremendous power in our words, so let’s be challenged not to waste our breath on things that don’t have value or meaning.Instead, let’s be reasonable about what we say and how we say it by listening to God’s leading, and using our voice with love and purpose.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I’d learn the value of listening and not rushing to speak. Please help me be reasonable, sensible, and respectful with my words and interactions with others. I ask that they see Your love shine through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.