April 19

Written by Bill Grandi on April 19th, 2021

Reading Proverbs is always enlightening. During 2020 I broke a long-standing tradition I had. From January 1-December 31, I would constantly read and reread Psalms. Every other month I would read Proverbs-one chapter a day. I’m not sure why I broke that tradition. But recently I picked it back up. I started reading the NT in the New Living Translation on January 1. I started reading Psalms on February 1. And through the month of April I have been reading Proverbs. It has been a rich experience again.

On the 17th (chapter 17) I read this verse:

Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

That reminded me of a saying attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

It is better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

Wise words. From both.

How many time have I opened my mouth and it would have been better to have kept it shut? More than I care to admit. How it would have been better to speak less and listen more! And how it would have been better to not have spoken at all!! It pains me to think of the lives I have hurt by speaking first and thinking last.

I go to another verse in Proverbs 17 that stood out to me:

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (v.9)

I’ve needed that forgiveness more than I can say. It is starts with keeping my mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. And I follow it up with this: “A truly wise person uses few words.” (v.27a)

“Father, help me to watch my words and to speak wisely.”

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    I too, have picked back up reading the Proverbs, starting back about 5 weeks or so. Just a glimpse into the wisdom of God. The tongue is a tough muscle to bridle and what comes from the mouth can never be unsaid. When dealing with a delicate situation or when I am emotional about something, I try to think first what the words I am going to say will sound like and the reaction I might get before I speak them. I can honestly say I don’t always manage to hit the “del” button in the brain to remove those thoughts before they are spoken… Sometimes those thoughts fly out of the mouth before I even get a chance to review. Doing better, but can always improve on this front.

    In regards to forgiveness, I have asked for that more times than I care to admit and God is always gracious to give.

    Good thoughts this morning Bill!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Wise words and a wise approach Ryan. And on that forgiveness part? I’m with you! Thanks for the encouraging words.

  2. Ed says:

    I’ve ended many relationships when I’ve opened my mouth, and had my parents rebuke me because of it too!

    These days I let my yeas be yeas, and my nays be nays. It’s simple and more often than not, keeps me out of trouble. I like it like that.

  3. Lost count of the times my need to speak my opinion has gotten me in trouble. Each time, I beg Him to help me with this issue of listening more and less. Yet…well thats the only word I finish this comment off with, yet.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I, too, have lost count Betty. I’m guessing for me it will continue to being a lifetime lesson.

  4. This makes me think of the praise song “Let My Words Be Few.” We should be quick to listen and slow to speak.
    Blessings, Bill!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I thought of using that song but I chose not to. I think I just did recently. But you are right Martha. Our words do need to be few.