“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to be silent and a time to speak …” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 (NIV) |
 Source: I Wish I Hadn’t Said That | Sharon Jaynes (proverbs31.org) Excerpt: The woman in Proverbs 31 was such a woman. The Bible says, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26, NIV). In this verse, the original Hebrew word translated “wisdom,” chokmah, also means skill, shrewdness and prudence. A skill isn’t something that comes naturally but something that is developed with practice over a period of time. When we practice knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, we become wise. Whether we’re talking about raising children, deepening a relationship or interacting with a co-worker, we can follow Esther’s example to know when to speak and when to remain silent. And here’s my rule of thumb: When in doubt, leave it out. Today, let’s take a 10-second pause before we give an opinion, an instruction or a response. May our words honor others, and more importantly, may they honor God. Heavenly Father, help me know when to speak up and when to keep silent. Help me say the right words at the right time to the right people. And if the timing isn’t right, then give me the self-control to keep quiet. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. [more...] |
