I took a few days to visit in Ohio but took one morning to go to Panera Bread and do some reading and journaling. This is a combination of both Monday and Tuesday.
I’m calling this Spoken Words vs Unspoken Words.
It seems, at least to me, that we are a nation of spoken words. What I mean by that is that it is hard for us (for me) to keep my mouth shut. It’s almost like I/we are afraid of dead air. Tragically, when words are spoken it is more often than not words better left unsaid. A couple of Proverbs I’ve read recently are reminding me of the wisdom and prudence of keeping quiet, or at least of measuring my words before I speak.
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” Pr.11:12
It seems to me there is a lot of cynicism and sarcasm in our speech these days. It’s almost like we take delight in putting people “in their place.” To put it another way, we like to make people feel small. Sarcasm seems to be our sword of choice. Jab. Jab. Parry. Jab. Jab. Slash. Jab. Slash. Foe defeated.
But is it really a victory when we destroy someone else? I think not. At best, it is a hollow one. How can I consider it a victory when I have sliced and diced a neighbor-a flesh and blood person just me- into mincemeat? How can there be a good feeling in that? I would think that as a follower of Christ that even putting an “enemy” to mush would not further the cause of Christ. That’s not saying we shouldn’t defend our faith, and at times ourselves, but does that mean “crushing” the very soul of another? Again, I think not. I have found if people had their mind made up, sarcasm and slashing, slicing and dicing will not soften their heart but harden them.
Oh yeah, that other Proverb. “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 12:18
Case closed.
“Father, help me in my choice of words to not choose those that drip with sarcasm but give life. let me not be so intent on ‘winning’ that I kill others so that it really results in a hollow victory. Let me remain silent if that is the result.” Choose life Bill.
I know this is a little long but it is two days worth of Proverbs reading put into one devotion. Thanks for hanging in there with me while I was gone.
It all comes back to what my parents taught me: “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”
Blessings, Bill!
You’re parents said it so much simpler and cleaner than I just did. Thanks Martha.
This same theme has been running through my mind lately. God seems to be emphasizing “Be quick to listen and slow to speak…” James 1:19
To add to that is the old adage: “You have two ears and one mouth.” We are supposed to listen more than speak. Thanks Pam.
Great post, wise words. I need to remember to be slow to speak as well.
It takes courage to listen because the mind forms our comment before the person who we are listening to stops. It seems the older I get the more I want the last word. I mean, I have all this knowledge and I need to share it, or so I think. It really shows up with Ace and I. Funny I am a better listener but he is a better one to keep his mouth shut and let me get the last word, which I hate cause I want him to argue back. We are such fickle people. Keeping one mouth shut usually means they have not turned to you but tuned you off. In our 70’s and 54 years of marriage and the struggles do not change, our situation does but not the old man inside of us. The new man is growing some especially when I let him get the last word. Joking of course. Good reminders brother.
Good reminder, Bill. My tongue doesn’t bleed like it used to from biting it… it never kept it silent anyway.
Just today someone tested me in this arena and I just kept my mouth shut.
You right of course; no one wants to be rebuked verbally and it never warms their hard heart…