There are so many benefits to learning to watch our mouths. Solomon tells us here that a foolish person can be mistaken for a wise one simply by being quiet. There’s an old saying that even a fish would stay out of trouble if it kept its mouth shut. Another says it’s better to be thought ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Cute phrases, although somewhat mean at times. As expected Solomon is giving very wise counsel for all of us. He basically tells us that anybody can be seen as wise and discerning, even if they’re not. However, I would propose that learning to stay silent proves a degree of wisdom in itself. James challenges us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. In Proverbs, Solomon speaks an awful lot about what we say and don’t say, how powerful our words can be, and at the same time how destructive they can be. I imagine we’ve all lived long enough to know the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” is simply not true. There are wounds from broken bones that heal, sometimes even better than they started out. Wounds caused by mean and cutting comments can last a lifetime and shape a person’s life. I’ve dealt with a lot of young people whose personalities were shaped in very negative ways by awful things other kids said to them. Even sadder at times are the things spoken to them by adults, even parents. I’ve also dealt with an awful lot of people who have grown into very strong and healthy followers of Christ because of words that were spoken over them in faith and in love. Today, think very carefully before you speak. #BeTheEdge
“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” — Jesus
