Proverbs For A New Year: Silence is Smart

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Proverbs 17:28    

  You need to say something.  That’s what we think. A person makes a jab. An accusation is hurled at us. We are questioned. It’s human nature to want to defend ourselves, yet that can be at times the worst thing we can do.

  Years ago, I had a mentor tell me “Never get in a mudsling contest with a pig, they love it and you just end up getting dirty.”  We don’t have to respond to everything. Sometimes the best thing we can say is nothing at all.

  Lots of the talk we get into is not near as productive as we think. Silence may we more effective than we can imagine. Think about how Jesus used it (John 8:6, Mark 14:61). Maybe we should learn to use it as well.