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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Proverbs 17:28 – Keeps Silent – Growing As Disciples

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Wait To Speak

You think that you talk too much, don’t you? Yes, I certainly do. I can’t tell you how many times I have opened my mouth and said something that I regret. Why can’t you tell me? If I really knew how often, I suppose that I could tell you. But you already know all the regrettable things that I have ever said. Yes, I do.

Why do you want to talk to me about the foolish and regrettable things that I have said? Wouldn’t it be better to forget them and just move on? Do you really think so? No, not really. Why not? I regret opening my mouth and saying what I regret. Those regrets don’t just go away. No, they don’t. They nag at me constantly. Wouldn’t it be better if we talked about them? Yes, I suppose that it would be better.

What kinds of words have you regretted saying? I have mostly regretted proud, impatient, angry or judgmental words. I know that those words can hurt others and even damage me. Yes, they can. Does it seem to you that you say out loud most of the thoughts that come into your mind? Yes, it does. Worse than that, I say words that I haven’t really even thought about. That’s not good. It is pretty foolish, isn’t it? Yes, it is.

Would you like me to help you to be wise with the words that you speak? Yes, I would. How can you help me? I want you to slow down. There is no race to see how quickly you can respond with your words. The more quickly you speak, the more foolish your words will be. But slowing down will not be enough of a guard over the words of your mouth. What will be?

We are having a conversation right now, aren’t we? Yes, we are. Is there any reason we can’t continue this conversation throughout the seconds and minutes of your life? No, there is not. Do you think that talking with me throughout your day will change the words that come out of your mouth? I’m positive that it will. When you wait to speak, what will people think? They will think I am wise. When I give you the words to say, what will people know? They will know that I am wise. Why is that? They will hear words that you have given me to say. Yes, they will. Is that what you want? Do you want to wait to speak the words that I will give you, or do you want to rush to say your own words. I want to wait to speak the words that you will give to me. Is that your prayer? Yes, it is. I will hear and answer that prayer of yours.

Lord, I have been quick to speak and slow to listen. I have foolishly rushed to offer my opinion. Help me to remain silent and consider what you want me to think about a matter before I speak. Give me your wise words to say. Amen

Key Question… When have you opened up your mouth and said something that you really regretted?

Living It Out… Allow yourself time to be silent to carefully consider what the Lord wants you to think about before you speak up.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to know when to speak up and when to remain silent.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to wisely remain silent.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you listen to the Lord and carefully consider what He wants you to say before you speak.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Wisdom – Proverbs 17-28 – Keeps Silent – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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Hold Your Tongue

You have opened your mouth when it would have been far better if you had held your tongue. You have listened poorly and spoken abruptly. You have appeared to be foolish by the words that you have allowed to come out of your mouth. There is no doubt about that. Everything you have said is true. This has not been an infrequent occurrence. It has not been a rare event for you to listen poorly and speak abruptly. You have frequently been embarrassed by the words that have come out of your mouth. That is also true. I deeply regret that I have not taken more time to listen attentively and speak carefully. Yes, I can see that you would to make some changes in the way that you listen and speak. Would you like my help? Yes, I would like all the help you will give to me.

Let me start by asking you a few questions. You have my full attention. Why do you think you listen poorly and speak abruptly? I don’t know. I’m not sure. Oh, I think you do know. It’s hard to admit. Tell me what is on your mind. I think I’m proud. My pride tells me that I have just the right thing to say. I know the answer to the question. I have the solution to the problem. I’m sure that the listeners around me will all benefit from the wisdom I have to offer them. They shouldn’t have to wait one second too long to hear my enlightened opinion and receive my pearls of great wisdom. How do those thoughts and words sound to you right now? Those thoughts and words sound really pathetic and make me want to gag. I regret thinking them. I regret acting on them. That’s good.

What do you need from me? I want and need your wisdom. What would my wisdom tell you? Your wisdom would tell me to listen attentively and speak carefully. Your wisdom would tell me that I would benefit greatly by humbly listening rather than pridefully speaking. I don’t know the answer to every question. I don’t have the solution to every problem. Others often have far more to offer me than I have to give to them. That’s true. You have brought many wise people to speak into my life. I would do well to listen to every word that they have to say to me. Yes, you would. I will never regret listening more attentively before I speak more carefully. No, you will not.

Lord, I can’t tell you how many times I have foolishly opened my mind to express what I thought was my enlightened opinion. How foolish have I been? What mistakes I have made! Give me your wisdom. Help me to listen attentively and speak very carefully. Amen

Key Question… How will wisdom and humility lead you to listen carefully before speaking abruptly and foolishly?

Living It Out… Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to listen attentively and speak carefully.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you wisdom to listen attentively and speak carefully.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to listen attentively and speak carefully.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to give you the wisdom you will need to listen attentively and speak carefully.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

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