He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Wisdom of The Lord: Hold Our Tongue:
Proverbs 17:27-28
27) He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28) Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
In
the final section of our study in Proverbs 17, the Lord helps us to understand
the importance of learning to control our speech…
EXPOSITION:
27) He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
1. A person that possesses a knowledge of the
truths of God will understand the necessity of holding back our speech until
the appropriate time. Learning to
control our speech DOES NOT imply to remain speechless. Instead, it is teaching us to learn to speak
only when it will be of the most benefit to the hearer. Practically applied it means:
a. to learn to hear all sides of an issue before
speaking
b. to learn to speak only when the hearer is
ready to hear and consider what we are saying
c. to learn to speak only what will be of
benefit to the hearer
d. to learn to refrain from speaking our “thoughts
and wisdom” but to emphasize “thus saith the Lord” (principles from His Word)
e. to learn to speak using terms and ideas that
can be understood by the hearer
These,
and many other, principles of controlling
our speech should become a habitual practice for the Christian.
2. Those who can see the true nature of the events
and wisdom of the world are peaceful in demeanor. Why is this? Due to their spiritual understanding, they
make the proper life decisions and can see the Lord hand at work in the events
of their life.
“For in many things we
offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and]
able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we
turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships,
which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they
turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a
little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little
fire kindleth! And the tongue [is] a
fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth
the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire
of hell. For every kind of beasts,
and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath
been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man
tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God,
even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. Out of the same mouth
proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth
at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?
so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:2-12)
28) Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
The
importance of holding speech can even be applied by the fool.
1. When he refrains from speaking he is looked
upon as wise. This is because, many
times, foolish thoughts are revealed through speech and a foolish nature is
revealed through the inability to control our speech.
2. When he refrains from speech, his lack of
understanding is clearly revealed.
“A fool also is full of
words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can
tell him?” (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
SUMMARY:
The
ability to consistently control our speech is a wonderful gift from the Lord. It
is of absolute necessity for us to be faithful servants of the Lord and, even
for the fool, it can be of great benefit to us all.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
SIH
Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH
Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email:
settledinheaven@gmail.com
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