Well, You Don't Say!

It is interesting, when studying and learning another language, how even English words may begin to take on a form to remind you of the new vocabulary being learned. I remember this from my study of Spanish in high school and Greek in college. Even now, when I see "Aptos" (a city in California) I still first think of the similar Greek lettering for "artos""(which looks like "aptos" when substituting English letters for the Greek), meaning "bread". In fact I frequently find myself ready to pronounce it "artos" instead of "Aptos".

It is impressive when we meet someone who is able to speak fluently in several languages without getting them mixed up. However, something even more clever than speaking several languages is being ABLE TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT IN ONE! We may all still be trying to learn this aspect of speech. There are times we may find the best answer to give is no answer at all.

Solomon wrote. . .
"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." ( Proverbs 15:28 ESV)

In Ecclesiastes Solomon also noted there being "A TIME TO KEEP SILENCE, and a time to speak." ( Ecclesiastes 3:7). Getting those times mixed up is what gets us into trouble! Let us weigh our responses. Let us consider our words. May we become more FLUENT IN KEEPING OUR MOUTH SHUT when that is the most appropriate action to take.

Have a great day BEING WISE IN SPEECH AND NON-SPEECH!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 12/06/1998 (edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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