Sorry, no results.
Please try another keyword
by Bob and Debby Gass
Know When to Be Quiet!
June 19, 2013
‘Fools vent…the wise quietly hold it back.’ Proverbs 29:11 NLT
Carol Kuykendall writes: ‘My very pregnant daughter got her hair cut…from long to stylishly short. She was trying to get used to her new look when we ran into one of her friends. “Oh no!” her friend wailed…“I don’t like it!” Then as if to rationalise her words, she quickly added, “You know me. I’m a Truth–Teller!” As we walked away my daughter told me she could’ve done without the truth that day!…It made me more aware of that critical moment in conversation when I’m faced with a choice: Do I say what I’m thinking? Or do I zip it? I keep hearing that “telling it like it is” and “being real” is good for relationships. Reality TV, confessions on Oprah and Twittering the Truth add to our reverence for authenticity. But here’s what I know about myself: if I say everything I think, I can slay people in my path. And just because I think something—doesn’t make it true…A good question to ask is: Is it helpful—or hurtful—to the person or our relationship? What about the timing and tone? [For example] a comment about a spouse’s appearance is hurtful when they can’t do anything about it, and will only make him or her self–conscious the rest of the evening.’ The Bible says, ‘Fools vent…the wise quietly hold it back.’ Knowing when not to speak is often more important than knowing what to say. That’s what Paul had in mind: ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…that it may benefit those who listen.’ (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Soulfood: Ezek 43–45, Luke 1:39–56, Ps 139:1–6, Pr 15:25–27
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2013
Subscribe Today
Have this devotional delivered to your inbox for daily inspiration.
More Inspiring Devotions
American preacher Dr Stephen Olford said, I want to hear the voice of God before I hear anyone elses in...
To grow spiritually, you must get alone with God. When you come into His presence, you should have these attitudes:...
When it comes to lifes great achievers, the apostle Paul is in a league of his own. But he takes...
A pastor writes: When God created man, He made him in His own image. That was Gods original plan, and...
Showing 1-4 of 5702 results