AGENTS OF PEACE

Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage but the wise bring calm in the end.

You do not have to say everything right now. There is a time to hold back speech to yourself – and there is a time to talk and tell all. Wise men know what to do before speaking and when to speak, but fools spill everything without preparation or thought. Fools talk a lot. They cannot keep their mouths shut. Any little thought, no matter how frivolous, no matter how unstudied, no matter how inappropriate, has to come rushing out. But a wise man speaks carefully. He does not speak hastily, or without study, or offer opinions as truth. He rules his mouth to choose wise words and wait for the right timing.

A talker is a fool. If he talks arrogantly, hastily, or loudly, he has confirmed his folly even more. A fool loves the sound of his own voice, and he thinks others should love it also. He thinks he has wisdom to share, and he thinks others are blessed to hear him. So he gets angry when he is eventually isolated due to his ignorant and obnoxious speech.

Solomon said there is a time for everything: “A time to keep silence, and a time to speak” Eccl 3:7  a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. But knowing the right time requires discretion and prudence, two branches of wisdom the fool has never considered. 

If a fool could keep his mouth shut, he would be thought wise Proverbs 17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. But he cannot do it, for he has never held back words in his life: he has no will nor power to do so. He must pour out foolish ideas in the hope of satisfying his agitated conceit, but it will never happen; when he runs out of things to say, he keeps talking anyway.

There is nothing virtuous about being “outspoken.” It is merely another word for a fool! It would be much better to keep those words in and let them dissolve in the bile of your liver and go into the draught. It would be much better to ask the Lord to set a watch before your mouth and to keep the door of your lips Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not speak out!

Many things – idle words, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, backbiting, talebearing, and slander – should not be spoken Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. And many words raise the probability of sin Proverbs 10:19Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. How much damage and pain could have been avoided by reducing your words? Therefore, the fewer, and more carefully chosen, and more slowly spoken, are your words, the better (James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters,(A) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak(B) and slow to become angry,).

A fool’s wrath is quickly known, for he cannot keep his angry words in. A fool pours out unstudied nonsense, and worse yet, his personal opinions; but a righteous man studies before answering anything. A fool shows his folly and shame by answering a matter even before hearing it fully presented (Proverbs 18:13). He cannot rule his spirit, and thus proves himself a failure and loser among men.

Wise men restrain their speech. They study before answering. They are slow to speak. They choose their words carefully and wait for the right time to say them. Wise men keep words in “till afterward”! 

Samson uttered all his heart, and it cost him greatly; he could not resist the provocation of Delilah to open up and spill the beans (Judges 16:17). Yet Abigail, a beautiful woman of good understanding, waited for the right time to give her husband some bad news (1Samuel 25:36)

Christians, to be wise and avoid folly, they are to be circumspect in their conduct – inspecting all the circumstances in every direction. Their words are to be predominantly gracious, with only a seasoning of salt, and the purpose is always to be edifying. Can you keep from uttering all your mind today? Can you wait until you have the right words and the right opportunity to say them? May God bless you

Prayer: Lord Jesus, rule over my heart, I don't want to be ruled by my anger, guide, and direct me in Jesus name. Amen

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The Lady Evangelist Kim

gospelrevolutionmovement@gmail.com