Our Bible verse for today: “The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips.” Proverbs 17:27-28 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “A wise person knows when to remain silent.”
I once knew a woman who was often a volcano of bubbling, babbling, emotion. She seemed to have little control over her emotions and she therefore frequently erupted with volcanic explosions of words – supercharged, critical, complaining, and often harsh words. Not much Biblical wisdom in that.
Oh, and she often found herself in a position of having to apologize. Once the pressure was released, once the molten lava of overheated words had been exhausted, and once she had finally calmed down, she was often embarrassed and shifted into damage control mode as she explained, rationalized, and eventually apologized for her behavior.
In Proverbs 17:27 Solomon tells us that the person who has acquired Biblical wisdom will have learned to keep a cool head and to restrain their words. That means that instead of being ruled by our emotions it’s the Holy Spirit who has control over our tongue. It means that we think first and speak second. And it means that when we do speak, our words are well thought out, intentional, and accomplish good rather than evil.
In verse twenty-eight Solomon goes on to explain that even a foolish person will be considered wise if they just keep their mouth shut. That reminds us of the old adage “Remain silent and you may appear foolish, but open your mouth and you will remove all doubt.” As your emotions are beginning to boil and that volcano of words is moving quickly to the surface you may find yourself having to bite through your tongue in an effort to keep it for wagging, but that will still be better than saying things that shouldn’t be said.
A wise person knows when (and how) to remain silent.
God Bless,
Oak Hill Baptist Church 