DAY THIRTEEN “He that keepth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” PROVERBS 13:3 Complied By: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph.D At times we say things hoping to have influence, getting other peoples attention, not realizing that it might be a greater liability than than the asset! An ill word, a harsh, unkind statement could easily bruise and wound a persons soul deeply, without any visible scares. When there is fire in a room, it is better to have doors and windows shut, for it is the air that fuels the fire. What goes forth from ones mouth could bless or burn. Unfortunately, many of us speak, when it is best to be silent. A harsh word is like a bullet, when left can not be retrieved. The principle in the text listed above has to do with when to speak and when to remain silent. This principle is evident as far back as the Book of Job. It seems Jobs wife and his three friends, including “wise” young friend, Elihu would have been much comfort and asset to Job, if they all kept silent. At the end, we find that they were not saying anything worthwhile! As the saying goes, “With friends like this, who needs the enemy?” The problem with their argument was, they did not have sufficient data to back up their claims. That included Job himself! Job himself was proved wrong, when he protested his innocence both to his friends and to God. Reading, Job chapters 29-31, we will find Job uses numerous personal pronoun to prove his innocence, such as: “I,” “me,” “my,” and “myself,” proclaiming his own self-righteousness. In these chapters, we find Job is defending his innocence, his prosperity, and his adversity without knowing what he was talking about. Finally, he admits his mistakes in Job 42:5-6 “ I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” James 3:8-9 “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 07:28:02 +0000