March 26
"Do not speak in the hearing of a
fool,
for he will despise the wisdom
of your words."
Proverbs
23:9
Sometimes it's better to just remain silent rather than
to speak truth that you know the listener will scorn. When an issue
comes up, the knowledgeable one can be too quick to defend his
position, but what good is it if the listener does not have ears to
hear? He will only argue with you but the argument will go nowhere
and will only create hard feelings on both sides.
Judge well
before you speak. Consider the ability of the hearer to understand,
and if you know he won't, then be silent.
"Do not give
what is holy to the dogs,
nor cast
your pearls before swine,
lest they
trample them under their feet,
and
turn and tear you in pieces."
Matthew
7:6
When each one is arguing in defense of his own position it
produces nothing except anger and bitterness. Be the first to back
down, even when you're sure you're right. Don't let pride cause you
to press on until you can put your opponent down.
vs
17-18:
"But the wisdom that is
from above is first pure,
then
peaceable, gentle, willing to yield,
full
of mercy and good fruits,
without
partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now
the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
by
those who make peace."
The Scriptures counsel us to
defend the faith, and every believer should be able to do that and do
it well. But always be watchful whether the one you're speaking to
has the ability to receive what you're saying. If you know that this
argument is not going to be received, just be silent.
Wait on
the Lord! Always be ready to give an answer - but wait on him to know
when to speak and when to be silent.
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