January 22 Devotion

The Proverb writer reminds us, “Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent” (17:28). “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (10:19) “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions” (18:2). “There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking” (29:20). “A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook” (18:4). “If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble” (21:23). At the risk of being as judgmental as Job’s friends, it would seem that maybe what Job needed from them was a little less talk and a little more understanding. It’s not that some of the things they were saying weren’t true because they were. But, when we talk too much we end up saying things that really are not from God, and that's what they did. On the other hand, it’s not that some of the things Job said in his defense weren’t true because they were. But, too much talk on his part resulted in his accusing God of things that simply were not true, either. It’s no wonder James told us in the New Testament, “my dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (1:19). For the fact is, “we all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every (other) way, (as well)” (3:2). Some wise individual has said, “better to be silent and let people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” The wise King Solomon put it like this, “there is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.....(there is) a time to be quiet and a time to speak up” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7). As Jesus was on trial for trumped up charges that didn’t have an ounce of truth to them, there were times when he chose to speak and there were times when he chose to be silent (John 18:19-23; 33-37; 19:8-11; Matthew 26:62-64; Mark 14:60-62). May God grant us the wisdom of Jesus to know when is the right time to speak, and when is the right time to remain silent.