Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing At All

4.6 | 2,473 ratings

Price: 17.32

Last update: 01-02-2025

About this item

Kind, encouraging, and humorous, Karen Ehman helps us learn the essential practice of using our words more effectively - alleviating heartache and regret, reducing relational tension and conflict, lessening our stress levels, and growing our relationship with God.

From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words. What to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. And what to do when you’ve said something you wish you could now take back.

In this audiobook, a woman whose mouth has gotten her into loads of trouble shares the hows (and how-not-tos) of dealing with the tongue. Beyond just a "how not to gossip" book, this book explores what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Karen will cover using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family, and strangers as well as in the many places we use our words in private, in public, online, and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves.

She will address unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people please, and dealing with our verbal anger. Christian women struggle with their mouths. Even though we know that Scripture has much to say about how we are - and are not - to use our words, this is still an immense issue, causing heartache and strain not only in family relationships, but also in friendships, work, and church settings.

Also available: Keep It Shut small group video study and study guide.

Ashley Bethel

Highly Recommended Read

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2024

This book is very entertaining! I loved every bit of it. It’s so informative and gives a great perspective from life experiences and scriptures from the Bible.

Zindy Wilfong

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024

Easy to read and I love that includes Bible scriptures.

Patrice Diggins

Good read

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024

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For a woman who’s entering her resting feminine era this is right up my alley. Brought the journal also. Let’s get into the read.
With conviction it’s not disrespectful but it’s informative. Sometimes the best thing is nothing, and as I am learning this. It is certainly teaching me why

A. Elle

A book everyone could learn from

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2023

This book was an entertaining and illuminating read. From the first few pages, I felt seen in the struggle of being mindful of the heart behind my own words, and the heart (of the hearer) in front of them. Ehman uses scriptural illustrations and insights to build her work and to provide interesting background for each of her chapters. This book covers a wide range of ways the quantity and quality of our words can impact the people around us, and the lives of those we love.

One con -- so much of the marketing for this book centers on how much women struggle with their words and on this being a resource for women specifically. I'm not sure what biblical foundation this premise is built on, but men are just as guilty of misusing their words, and I think books like this may risk men seeing them as an affirmation that words are a struggle women have and men don't, and that women should be more intentional in "remaining silent." This resource is just as applicable to men as it is to women, and I think that's an important thing for both to remember as they navigate the impact their words can have.

L. Higgins

Godly Truths on Communication

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2018

ave you ever stopped to think about the “aweful” (and sometimes awful) power our tongues can have? Like, maybe, when you put your foot in your mouth…again? Or, perhaps, you have pondered the good in your life when someone spoke words of kindness and encouragement. Karen Ehman has written a special, down-to-earth book for those interested in taming the tongue: Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All.

This book is humorous and full of anecdotes. It is also biblically based and gets REAL about the issues that all honest women will admit arise in their lives from time to time—especially in this digital age. Ehman addresses various problems of communication including listening, talking to God before talking to others, gossip, flattery, and anger. She shares verses from Proverbs as the original tweets, and they are powerful. It turns out the Bible has a lot to say about what we have to say.

Ehman concludes Keep It Shut by summarizing tips and tricks derived from the body of her book as a quick and easy way to refer back to those truths. She discusses ways to find time and opportunities to get away with God for a few minutes or hours to be grounded in Him so you can make Godly decisions about what to say and when to say it. She lists ten verses that will “help you watch your words.” She has questions to ponder to help you examine your motives and decide if something is gossip or not. Ehman doesn’t stop at the negative. She also includes “powerful phrases” to speak to various people in your life and Scripture verses, quotes, and phrases that you can photocopy and display around your home or office as reminders.

Keep It Shut had a surprisingly big impact on me, giving me a lot to think about. One example is the “white lie.” Yes, I do tell white lies occasionally to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Ehman discusses the dangers of that and offers alternatives. I recommend Keep It Shut for the humor, the chatty presentation, and the Godly truths found in its pages.

Patricia Harvey

A Transforming Read!

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024

“Keep It Shut” deserves a solid 10/10 in my book! The author delivers a powerful message about the impact of our words, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in both what we say and how we say it. The inclusion of biblical scriptures adds depth and wisdom to the narrative. This book serves as a timely reminder to be cautious with our words, fostering positive communication ALL the time! A must-read for anyone seeking personal growth and mindful interaction. It’s a game-changer & a great way to start off 2024!

C. Long

Amazing

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024

This book was amazing! Definitely an eye opener for me. Highly recommend!

Heidi H.

Great Advice, Brutally Honest

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024

Great book!!!
I appreciate how the author starts her book with such brutal honesty! Excellent chapter, great advice, good, thought-provoking questions after each chapter.
Wonderful scripture passages throughout.
I read this on my own but could see reading this together with a small group.
I look forward to reading more of Karen Ehman books.

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