Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Virtuous Life – Day 232 – Proverbs 10-19 – When Words Are Many – Growing As Disciples
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)
Stop Talking
Well, that would be sound advice for me. What would be sound advice for you? I need to stop talking so much. Why is that? When many words are spoken, I know that sin is not absent. No one needed to tell me that truth. I have frequently talked way too much and listened far too little. I am certain that I will more often regret what I said than what I didn’t say. I am also sure that I don’t need to say every word that comes into my head. Before I speak, I have no doubt that I need to prayerfully consider my words. Does that mean that you will prayerfully ask me to give you words to speak? Yes, it does. What will be required of you if you want to speak words that come from me? What will you need to do if you want me to guard and guide your words? I will need to learn to listen attentively to you. Can you hear me well if you are always the one speaking? Certainly not. To hear from you, I will often need to sit quietly before you. But that is just the beginning of my training. What else will you need? I will need to be able to listen to you and hear your voice even when I am in conversations with others. I will need to listen well to you and to others when I am in conversations if I hope to speak wise words that come from you. That is correct. Does that seem like a difficult skill to master? Listening well to you and others at the same time? Yes. That seems like a very difficult task to master. You are correct. It will take time and effort for you do develop the skill of listening attentively to my voice. It will take even more time and effort to be able to listen to me as you listen to others. Well, I will commit the time and make the effort to learn to listen attentively to you and others so I will be able to speak wise words that come from you. That will be very good.
I would like to ask you a question. Go ahead I am listening. Your desire to speak wise words that come from me is very admirable. What attitude will be most important if you want to hear from me? Or I could ask, what will hinder or help your hearing from me so you can speak wise words that come from me? Humility will help me to hear from you. Pride will hinder me from hearing from you. If I am humble, I will know that apart from you I have no wise words to offer. If I am prideful, I will think that I do not need your help to speak wise words to others. So, what will you do? I will keep on coming to you. I will keep on drawing near to you. I will keep on humbly relying on you to give me wise words to speak on your behalf. That will be very good.
Lord, I have spoken many words. With my many words, sin has not been absent. Help me to be wise. Help me to rely on you to guard and guide the words that come out of my mouth. Use my words to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Amen
Key Question… Why do you not need to say every thought that comes into your mind?
Living It Out… Allow the Lord to guard and guide the words that come out of your mouth.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you words that He wants you to speak.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you words to speak.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you be careful to limit the words that come out of your mouth.
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