Do you ever talk to yourself? If so, people are apt to comment, "Do you answer yourself, too?" No need for alarm, this is nothing unusual at all. In fact the Bible reveals the words of several different people who talked to themselves.
One of the best known characters in the Bible is called by nearly everyone, the prodigal son. Many have been saved through learning of him. Also many of us have been through similar experiences and have found that the far country (away from the Father) is a sorrowful place or condition to get into.
At last it says of the prodigal, "He came to himself." Luke 15:1717And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (Luke 15:17). Then he began to talk to himself and said, "How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!" Here, it almost seems that he is asking himself a question. Next, he answers himself and talks of his plan. "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”
Another person given to self-consultation is the woman diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years. We read of her in Matt. 9:2020And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: (Matthew 9:20). She said within herself, "If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole." These words express her faith in Jesus, and acting upon it she was made whole.
Still another case is the wealthy farmer of Luke 12 who puzzled in his thoughts about what to do with increased fruits. In Luke 12:1818And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (Luke 12:18) he says, "This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Here again it seems that one who talked to himself also answered himself. Surely it is an interesting conversation that again reveals what was in the heart even as the other cases do. "For of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaketh." Luke 6:4545A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45).
Have you checked what you sometimes say, to see what is in your heart? To help control thoughts we recommend this wonderful instruction, "Finally, brethren... whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:88Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8). Ed.