THE WORD
Job 33:31, 33 – Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I could not tell you about all of the hundreds of times when I have been tempted to offer my opinion or to state my mind on a matter that someone asked me about. Without proper care of have a good conversation we fail to realize that being opinionated to one another can turn bad quickly. It is in those moments to which God (through the spirit) is continually teaching me when to hold my peace and keep my silence about something. I never thought that I would be able to conquer this in very touchy situations where it gets tough, but through God it IS possible to have the temperance (self-control) we need to make it through opening our mouths about things!
There is value in your silence. Sometimes silence can be golden. It keeps you in a place where you can still be a witness of God without stepping out too far on words that you speak. More often than not before we realize the consequences we forget to consider how powerful wielding life and death through our tongues really is. Through silence you can help to create a gap that gives you a chance to get your mind on God and allow the spirit to show you what to say. It reminds me of a spiritual spinoff of the clichéd phrase “think before you speak”. Just remember to include God in your emotional battles and He will always keep your words in check!
PUT INTO PRACTICE
I can definitely assure you that there will be another argument sometime in your near future. Especially when we are attempting to let God take control of our thoughts and words in a greater way. The next time someone gives you a chance to offer your opinion, remember to either choose positive words or to let silence keep you from causing harm. It may be hard the first few times but I testify that it gets easier! Words are just as damaging to our spiritual and emotional being as much as a weapon is harmful to our bodies.