Proverbs 17:27–28: He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
Insight
It is the simpleton who is always babbling. The man who has knowledge will not be continually airing his acquirements. He is of a quiet spirit, and can bide his time. A man who must always be talking is generally one whose grasp of things in general is very slight; and, among Christians, an ever-running tongue certainly is no commendation to the discerning. He whose knowledge is limited is esteemed wise when his words are few. One who lives in the fear of God sets a value upon words that the careless soul cannot understand; for he remembers that “for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Even that which he has experienced of God’s love and favor is not always to be told lightly to others. Paul seems to have kept for fourteen years the secret of his having been caught up to the third heaven, till a seasonable time came to relate it (2 Cor. 12:1–7). 1
Application
THINK before speaking – is it True, is it Helpful, is it Inspiring, is it Necessary, is it Kind
Motivation
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19
Even an unwise person can exercise wisdom by choosing not to say a lot. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please help me to remember how Jesus responded when facing His accusers.
1. Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs (p. 220). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.
