Sides of Silence!

Silence is something with which we sometimes struggle. There are times we don't know how to use it when perhaps it would be a good opportunity for meditation and prayer. We may also at times wonder about the silence of others; what are they thinking or feeling? Are they sad about something or are they upset with us? Though we may not always know exactly what is behind silence, at times when we are not sure, that doesn't mean we have to say something anyway. If we have nothing to say we should not -- like some -- insist on saying it!

King Demaratus (king of Sparta from around 515 until 491 BC) is noted as stating --when asked whether in the company of others he was silent through folly or wisdom -- "A fool cannot be silent." To be silent would be the wisest thing for a fool to do. As I have heard stated many times, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder if you're a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Solomon noted that "Even A FOOL who keeps SILENT is CONSIDERED WISE; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."( Proverbs 17:28 ESV) The problem is the foolish often don't know when to keep silent and therefore they insist on speaking and revealing their foolishness.

As Job was not being provided much comfort by his friends, he responded to their counsel by stating. . .
"(4) As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. (5) OH THAT YOU WOULD KEEP SILENT, AND IT WOULD BE YOUR WISDOM!" ( Job 13:4-5 ESV)

Reading the statements of Job's friends, they seemed to have thought they were speaking the mind of God while in actuality did not know what they were talking about. They were in error as to their suppositions of both God and Job's situation. Job's friends were perhaps the most comfort when they sat with him in silence for the first seven days together. ( Job 2:13) In the end three of Job's friends -- Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar -- were rebuked by God and instructed to make offerings and have Job pray for them. ( Job 42:7-9)

It is so easy for us to misspeak. Consider the categories of speech Paul noted when he wrote. . .

"(20) Let NO CORRUPTING TALK come out of your mouths, BUT ONLY such as is GOOD FOR BUILDING UP, as FIT'S THE OCCASION, that it may GIVE GRACE TO THOSE WHO HEAR." ( Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

Sometimes people just need us to listen to them. At times they may merely need a sounding board as they talk through their situation, rather than our advise. Then when we do speak, may it be words that encourage and build up as is fitting for the situation. Our wise speaking will then complement the wisdom of our silence. May God help us with the balance.

Have a great day RECOGNIZING THE TIME TO SPEAK AND TIME TO BE SILENT!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Silence