SILENCE IS STILL GOLDEN

Proverbs 29: 20 “There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”

Why do people often feel the need to say something even in a conversation that they were never invited to and are not really a part of? Such people have a compelling need to ensure that their opinion is heard so they say something in every discussion even without understanding the topic. Sometimes, we are so desperate to say something that we don’t give ourselves enough time to think through what we say so that we then say the most stupid things but nobody is able to tell us because they don’t want to hurt or offend us. I can understand speaking too soon just once but then you stop yourself; my problem is with continuing in that habit without even making an effort to stop. Sadly, the more such people talk, the more stupid they appear and the less respect they earn. Sadly, the scripture above suggests that there is very little hope for such people.

Proverbs 17: 27a – 28 “A truly wise person uses few words … Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” 

There is an old adage I would like to remind us of which is fast becoming obsolete; it says “silence is golden.” I recognize that the world currently teaches that you have to sell yourself which is one of the reasons people feel the need to say something; but as believers, we must know that the principles that govern our lives are different and silence is still golden. Whilst I am not saying we should be dumb, we must recognize that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent and also that self control is a fruit of the spirit which we, as believers, possess so that we all have it in us to restrain ourselves from speaking unless and until we are required to speak. Moreover, sensible people do not think you are silent because you are unable to form an opinion and no wise person will think you stupid for taking a little more time to form your opinion on an issue.

James 1: 19 “understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: you must be quick to listen, slow to speak.”

Furthermore, it is best to be considered too quiet than stupid. Also, no one is any less than they truly are just because they learnt to control their tongue; the problem is often within us who feel other people think us a little less than we are because we were silent. More often than not they actually respect us for not making any contribution to something we know nothing about. A lot of unwise people have been judged wise because most of their stupid thoughts are not spoken; they are very careful to speak so that it is mostly only their wise thoughts that are spoken. Moreover, if you talk too much, it is most likely that you will not increase in knowledge anyway because you never really listen to other people with a view to learn. No wonder the bible admonishes us to “study to be silent.” For silence sometimes makes us look good.

Proverbs 13: 3 “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.”