Know When to be Silent
Proverbs 17:27-28 One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding. Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
Most of us, I think, are uncomfortable with silence. We think that in order for conversation to flow, somebody needs to be talking. And if nobody else is, we’d better say something. Anything will do, just something to get rid of that uncomfortable silence.
How often have you stupidly blurted something out, just to break the silence, pretending you know about something that really, you have no idea about? We’ve all been there.
And the people around you don’t know whether to laugh, or just be embarrassed for you. The more we speak, our thinking goes, the more knowledgeable it makes us look, when in reality, the exact opposite is true.
Along with the skill of listening, the skill of simply being silent, is one of the most important life skills that we can ever learn.
One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding. Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:27-28)
At this point, I’m reminded of a young man by the name of Ben, with whom I’ve been working recently. He’s an expert in social media and digital communications. And of all the people I’ve met in my life, he more than anybody, embodies this Scripture.
I recall we were in a meeting with some web developers, planning something new. I’d jump in here and ask a question, there to share a thought. The head developer asked Ben whether he had any questions. “No,” he said. “I’ll just wait.” He sat there without saying anything for quite a while, observing, thinking, listening. But when he did open his mouth, his few words displayed a wisdom and insight well beyond his years.
Instead of being keen to impress, he was very much “cool in spirit”. Calm, measured. And let me tell you, very, very impressive.
At what point did we start thinking that talking was the most important part of communicating? At what point did we begin to imagine that babbling on about things we don’t really understand, showing off with our many words, was the way to impress other people?
This proverb is spot on. The one who speaks fewer words, ultimately comes across as the more knowledgeable one. And even the fool, when he sits silent, appears to be wise.
In a world where everybody is trying to put their best foot forward, where so many people are trying to impress us with what they have to say, silence, knowing when not to speak, is more important than ever.
The Bible is full of life skills. Essential life skills. And these skills are very rarely taught explicitly in our upbringing. We’re meant to pick them up, I think, by osmosis. But God doesn’t leave these things to chance.
One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Blessed by this devotion?
Share it with a friend!
Respond