When We Should Hold Back

July 8, 2021

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

~Proverbs 10:19~

Our words have a way of either lifting up or bringing down. We have the ability to bless or curse. We have the choice to make when to speak and when to bite our tounge. It is important that we do not speak whenever we desire, whenever we feel something about a situation or whenever we think we need to enlighten another. It may not be Holy Spirit, it may be our own flesh that wants to speak when God is telling us to be still. For when we speak out of turn, we may be damaging someone more then we think. Our words matter; to people, to ourselves and to God.

"The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd."

(Ecclesiastes 12:11)

When we use our words wisely we will edify and encourage. We will grow and become aligned to God and His people. When we struggle to remain still and bite our tounge; we will cause others to stumble, we will cause arguments, we will cause the Lord to sigh even. We must have self control.

"but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled."

(Titus 1:8)

The Lord Jesus had much self control as He walked His earth. He had all the wisdom, knowledge and understanding He needed and yet we see He had no need to speak out to people at all times. He had the proper discernment which told Him to remain quiet even though He could of very well told every person exactly what they thought, felt and desired. He could of went around pointing out everyones flaws, lack and want. Wisdom is knowing when to be silent. Pride is wanting to teach and train when it is not our job to; "By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom."

(Proverbs 13:10)

Our own sense of self worth will cloud our judgement on when to speak as the Lord desires or when to keep it to ourselves.

In other words we get in the way when we overtly speak. We let our flesh become the center of control verse Holy Spirit and others may fall because of our words. We are called to follow Jesus' image and His love. We love by walking in self control and respect. The Lord is telling us when we restrain our words, we are being wise. Just as He Himself is. Be wise as our King and take the lowly place just as He did. For when we do, we are exalted by God in Heaven and that is all we need to be satisfied; "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

We are called to be humble, to be kind and to be wise. Our Lord paints a perfect picture of obedience and we are to come to Him whenever we feel like we need to "speak up." Let us make sure it is the right thing to do.

The more we speak what so ever comes to our mind, the more room we have to sin without even realizing it; "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

The less we speak up when it is not the right thing to do, the less chance we have of saying the wrong thing. We will leave more space for love and light. We will hear God's voice above our own. We do not want to be the type of person that causes another to say "I wish they never said that." We want to lift others, love others, make others feel edified and know when the right time is. For there is a time and a place and sometimes there is no place at all. Our words matter and Jesus wants us to leave the instruction to Him. He will know when and where. Let us humble ourselves, listen to the Lord and wait when we need to. Sometimes not saying anything at all, sometimes just listening is enough to grow and benefit the Kingdom.

Prayer:

Abba, I thank you for Your wisdom that tells me when to speak and when to hold my peace. I trust in Your ways over my own. I do not want my own ego, pride or understanding to cause me to say things I do not need to say. Lord, I pray for Your guidance as I align myself to Your will. I pray for the wisdom of heaven that gives me self control. I pray for the discernment that shows me when to speak and when to be still. I praise You for being a great imagery of humility. I seek to follow You in this. Glory to the Father for mercy, grace and many chances to do it Your way. Let Your holy strength lead me in the Name of my Savior above, King Jesus Christ. Amen.