Articles
The Art of Silence
The Art of Silence:
James 3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
In a world where everyone is quick to speak, is quick to have their opinion shared; imagine the impact of one who does not speak.
Job: After Job loses everything in his life, his three friends join him in mourning, and what did they do first? They sat down on the ground with Job for 7 days in silence.
Jesus: When Jeus was questioned by Herod Antipas in Luke 23:9, what did Jesus do? He stood there silently. Yet, the power of His silence said more than a thousand words.
Excessive talking can lead to sin:
Proverbs 10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus says, But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Talking too much easily leads to saying what should not be said. Restraining our lips is an indication of wisdom and humility. Talkative people often do not take the time between their many words to choose their words carefully. Christians should be aware that talking too much can be detrimental to our ability to spread the Gospel.
Excessive talking is the enemy of active listening:
Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
James 1:19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger
You may have a perfect statement regarding the topic at hand but are you listening to respond or are you listening to understand. When you're not actively listening, it's easy to misinterpret or miss crucial information. Not actively listening shows disrespect and can erode trust, making people feel unheard and undervalued. Misinterpretations and assumptions stemming from poor listening can escalate into conflicts and disagreements. Not listening sends the message that you are disinterested and disconnected, which can discourage others from sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Excessive talking often becomes idle speech.
Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
2 Timothy 2:16-17a But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.
If you’re the kind of person, like I am, who can’t stand silence and feels the need to fill it with speech, be careful. Those careless words may cost you. Idle speech is talk that is meaningless, or unhelpful, it can also refer to speech that is gossip, slander, and/or harmful. The worst part is that if this type of speech is not dealt with, it will grow like gangrene and affect the whole congregation.
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He said in the end of John 8:28, I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. I know that I have a long way to go in becoming like Jesus, especially in this aspect. It would be an amazing compliment for someone to say, “You are a person who seems to always say the right things at the right times.” In Ephesians 4, where Paul is talking about what a Christian’s Walk should look like, he writes in verse 29, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
I want to be known as one who speaks only what is needed and what builds up others. Don’t you? Let’s be people who learn to talk less and speak only what is of the will of God, and only for the good of those around us. Don't say just whatever comes to mind or whatever you feel like saying. Especially, if like me, you are prone to anger, be honest with yourself, stop and think before you speak. We as Christians must make sure that no corrupt speech comes from our mouths. We should strive to say only what is needed and only what is helpful.
