This is a rambling morning with no proper conclusion unless you are willing to comprehend the thought and follow it to a logical conclusion.
Here goes.
If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all. That’s what I hear in my mind. Is it a valid statement? Does it contain harsh truth? Will it do anyone good or harm for me to say what I feel? Or what I know to be the truth?
Through my journey in life, I’ve learned how to be diplomatic. But I can also throw daggers. There are things I’ll never bluntly say, while there are things I always say that some dislike hearing. I cannot help myself, nor can I help you.
The intelligent thing to do is to know what to say and when.
Know what not to say until the time improves.
Learn to read the hearer and speak for the benefit of all.
What we need to hear is not often what we want spoken of.
Sometimes the key is to know the “why..“
Instead of the “what” or “when.”
Some need to hear, and that’s perhaps the simplest reason to have two ears. Others want to speak, and when speaking, you cannot hear.
The Bible tells us that our silent response to the world can help us avoid sinning. I love the back way that scripture tells us to “bite our tongue!”
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
(Proverbs 10:19 NKJV)
It’s not that we can withhold our words; we do. But we show ourselves antsy or with a negative vibe, meaning we have something to say, and you should ask us for our input. We won’t be happy until we unload our minds into our moths and spew the words all over everyone!
When we are silent, we gain respect! Maybe that’s what we want!
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
(Proverbs 17:28 NKJV)
Here’s A Key
The best thing about speaking is learning “when” it’s wise to share, and when it would be foolish to dominate another by the words we have to share. Solomon teaches us that there is a season and time for every purpose. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Patience is a virtue we struggle with learning. Paul adapts the idea of Self-Control. It is the last of a list of “fruit” representing a Spiritual life. (Galatians 5:23)
But what does controlling self indeed mean? It’s challenging to control our words when we have a piece of mind to give away. When we lose our peace (John 14:27), have we not lost a bit of respect? Are we Walking by the Spirit when we lose our temper? (Romans 8:1, etc.)
Just now, my mind drifted into the sports arena.
Most team sports have two aspects of play: Offensive and Defensive.
Defend your goal, or attack the others so you can attain their goal.
We may not be warriors, but team sports often teach us techniques from both sides.
Now, consider a courtroom, lawsuit, negotiation, or anything with more than one side of a story.
Can the fruit of the Spirit be applicable in our walk in the Spirit? Of course. Can we go on the attack? Against the enemy, sure.
Who’s our enemy?
There’s the rub. Adam and Eve learned the enemy’s identity, just as much as did Sampson. Our biggest enemy, though we think spiritual, is ourselves. We’ve lost that Fruit of the Spirit, and our walk has drifted from the spiritual side. Our distractions have kept us from God and distracted us long enough so that we go on the defensive about our choices.
It becomes about scoring points.
Maybe our worst enemy looks back at us every time we look in a mirror. We justify our words and actions based on what we see in ourselves.
How can we be Spiritual when we are so Carnal?
Let me end with this thought. I hate to pull scripture out of context and recite a verse here or there. Every Word of God is profitable for reproof and correction. for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), but Paul identifies a true thought for us to consider when we want to speak to some life situation.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God
for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing t
hat exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV)
There is a Spiritual Side to our Fleshly Side… Walk in the Spirit more and less in the Flesh.