When God says...
“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Proverbs 17:28 NKJV)
Silence is a fool's camouflage from stupidity. The tip is: speak only if you have to!
A person of few words will lead others to think he is wise - even when he is a fool! That is what this proverb tends to allude. It is not intended to encourage a fool to be a quieter fool. It is meant to remind the wise that talking incessantly is trouble - and will make him look like a fool.
The fool mentioned here is a man who harbors hatred of wisdom. This verse is a cue for us to just stop and listen. But sadly, we often want to get in the "last word," or offer our thoughts on anything that pops in the air. Mostly, that is just overactive ego. So, the wise thing to do is to disengage our mouth and engage our ears. God gave us two for a reason. Listening helps us learn about others and their thoughts and feelings. We don't need to broadcast ours, haphazardly and untimely, in the wrong settings.
It's time indeed to shut our lips. If there's a need to speak, let's spare our words and have restraint. It doesn't mean that we stipple our voice or sulk. It just means that we listen and discern better, be guided by the Spirit of God. Wisely choose words of life rooted in the Lord's holy and written Word. Let the Holy Spirit prompt our talk.
As children of God in Christ Jesus, we rest in the counsel of His Words, and be reminded, as it is written - “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:19-22 ESV)
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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