Walking With Christ

Proverbs 17:27-28 (27)Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. (28)Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.(ESV)
Ecclesiastes 3:7 A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.(ESV)
James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.(ESV)
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.(ESV)
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.(ESV)
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.(ESV)
James 3:4-5 (4)Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. (5)So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.(ESV)

The only way to win some battles is through silence. Every word is a seed that is planted in the heart of the listener. Sometimes you are the only one listening. A good seed planted at the wrong time will not grow fruit. A seed cast in frustration, anger, or jealousy will only produce weeds. A seed planted in desperation may bear fruit, but will it be the kind needed or even hoped for? Like it says in James 3, the tongue is such a small part of the body, yet it can direct so much of our lives. Again, every word is a seed. Will those seeds bring life through wonderful fruits or death through weeds?

This isn’t to say that silence is the only answer. On the contrary, words spoken at the wrong time or for the wrong reason can do more harm than good. Sometimes, we pray continually out of desperation. We pray so long and loud that we can’t hear the response. Prayer is a conversation with God. A conversation requires input from both parties. If one party is never quiet then the other party can’t answer.

Keep in mind that God can also be silent. There will be times when He is silent. It could be that we aren’t ready for the answer. It could be that we are simply meant to rest while we wait for the Lord to move in answer to our prayers. It could be a test of our faith. Silence can’t be misquoted, but it can be misunderstood. We ask a question, but can we faithfully wait for the answer. God only has three answers for any request. Those are: yes, no, and not yet. If you don’t get a yes or no then be patient. If you don’t get a response at all then be patient. God hears every prayer, even the unspoken ones, and answers them all with yes, no, or not yet.

Father,
You know that I struggle with patience. I know that You are working in me to improve that. Thank You for the good works that You are doing in me to move me towards the person You know me to be. I ask, Lord, that You keep working, I know You will because You are faithful and good to Your promises, in all of us who read these emails. I know that there will be a day when each of us becomes the person You already know. On that day, each of us will “know as we are known”. I look forward to that day of glory for Your kingdom. That will be the day when we each get to see the miracles You have performed in, around, and through each of us. The beauty of the works done by Your hands will never cease to amaze each of us.

In Jesus name we pray, amen!