“In the multitude of words there
wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 10:19
The book of Proverbs helps my walk with the Lord so much. I try to read
one chapter every day, and despite the fact I’ve read this book over and over,
God’s wisdom found in these pages of Scripture always teaches me something. Whether
a proverb grounds me for the day’s events, whether a verse brings me to
conviction, or whether a truth enlightens my understanding of circumstances
that make my heart heavy, I often walk away from reading Proverbs with a word
from the Lord that is just for me.
Today’s verse is such an example. I read it a few days ago and have
been trying to commit it to memory ever since. Why? Because it has been a
recurring theme in my dealings with others lately. I often get this sense of
pride when sharing my “wisdom” with loved ones in which I think I have the
answers to their problems. Without their request for advice, I happily pour
forth all the wisdom I think fits their particular situation with such a
self-righteous and judgmental countenance. Afterward, when I really take a good
look at myself, I get so discouraged (disgusted more like it) because here was
another instance I did not keep my mouth shut when I should have.
Now, I do not mean to imply that we should always be silent. For the
Bible says, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error
of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
(James 5:20)
On the one hand, some situations call for boldness, but a
speaking-the-truth-in-love boldness—a God’s-clear-direction-to-speak kind of
boldness that is free from self-righteous and prideful judgment. (Ephesians
4:15)
On the other hand, some situations call for our silence, perhaps
because that person is not ready to hear the truth. They have not yet come to
the end of themselves, which is precisely the place God wants them to get to so
He can begin to heal them.
Perhaps it’s because we are not the vessel God will choose to use to
bring a person to Himself and His will for their lives. I don’t know. But there
are times I can feel a catch in my spirit that leads me to not speak God’s
wisdom and counsel to an individual. It’s when I know it’s not my place to speak
and do so anyway, that I know I have a lot to learn myself about the wisdom of
learning to keep my mouth shut.
In the end, I know the one thing I can do for those I want to “help” is
to pray for them. While I refrain my lips toward them, I do not have to keep
quiet before God on their behalf.
“There
is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword:
but
the tongue of the wise is health.”
Proverbs
12:18
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| Stehekin, WA (August 2008) |
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