The power of your words Bible Study: Part 2 of 7 - Holding your tongue

Holding your tongue:

1. Sometimes it is better to just keep quite.

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. – Proverbs 10:19

It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.- Proverbs 11:12

If you look around a room, the quietest person is often the wisest. Sometime when you do not have anything good or productive to say, the best thing to do is to remain silent. If you are doing all of the talking you do not have time to think about wise responses or understand other peoples points of views.

2. Think before you talk.

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. – Proverbs 15:28

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. – Proverbs 17:27-28

Do you talk simply because a thought just popped into your head ? Or do you carefully consider if what you are about to say is useful, productive and wise ? When we do not carefully consider what we say we often end up saying things we regret later.

3. Make an effort to fully understand, before airing your own opinion.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. – Proverbs 18:2

Everyone loves being understood, but very few people time the time to listen to other people and try to understand their views and perspectives. You should always try to listen more than you talk. No body enjoys it when people air their opinion when they do not know all of the facts.

4. Keeping your mouth shut can keep you out of trouble

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. – Proverbs 21:23

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. – 1 Peter 3:10

It is often the things that we say that gets us into trouble and causes us to have bad days. Be wise and control your tongue so that you can see many good and happy days.