To Speak or Not To Speak

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
TO SPEAK OR NOT TO SPEAK
Prov 10:19
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
NIV
God told James to write the tongue is the most difficult member of the body to train and that if anyone is never at fault in what he says he is a perfect man. I think I have certainly said things I should not have at times and afterwards wished I had kept silent. I have been in situation in a group where it seems the words are flowing like a raging river and for the most part those words are scandalous or at best uncharitable. I think when people have nothing else to talk about they talk about other people. I have been a little frustrated at times when socializing with other believers and gossip or other non-profitable discussions ensure. I would like to talk about God and his word, but that seems to always cause trouble in some way. I don’t understand that, but I think I have learned to just keep my mouth shut. I know it doesn’t seem so, but I am a man of few words. Sure I write a lot of them, and I am pretty well animated when I preach, but that is because I am excited about God’s Word and how it can change a person’s life. His word can make a major difference in how someone approaches life. So I say many words when I am about my Father’s business. I can talk a lot when I am engaged in his purpose for my life. But as for the rest of the time, in normal social settings, I just don’t have much to say, if were are not talking about substance, but talking about other people, or nonsense stuff. Although I have fallen into that trap at times, and regretted it later. I have to learn to be more in control of my words. I need to be more aware of when it is fat better to just remain silent. I think silent appears wiser then a bunch of foolish words. But it is difficult to keep silent about God when the conversation affords the opportunity. So I just have to be conscience of the Spirit and his prompting, to speak or not to speak, that is the answer.