Ecc 3:7 “A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…”
A time to keep silence and a time to speak. Hummm … So I was thinking … silence … not something I am really good at.
I started wondering why?
Have you ever said something and thought, oh, I only meant to think that … did it come out of my mouth? Maybe it's because I live alone so when I am finally around someone who will listen I chat it up. Maybe it's because I have a lot of smart things to say. (kidding) Maybe it's because I am transparent, maybe because I am foolish (according to Proverbs), maybe because I am bored. Usually I talk too much because I am stressed. That is totally dangerous … especially since on a good day I don't have a censor button between my brain and my mouth.
But, after I stopped thinking and started praying I got my answer. It's because I am a sinner … we've all said things we wished we could take back.
James 3:2 “For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body.
Sometimes the things we don't say is where the sin lies. We give people the silent treatment, we don't take the time to encourage and build up when we see a need, we don't take the time to express love, we don't follow Matt 18 and go to our brother if we have a problem with them or we don't say I'm sorry.
We are not meant to do this life alone. We should talk it up as long as the talk is wholesome, full of humility, truth in love, grace … Sometimes we hurt others because we don't say enough or we don't even try to say anything at all. We are afraid, weak, tired, bored, apathetic, self centered, don't have time or just not transparent enough. If we don't speak into each others lives as believers we fail I Cor 12. If we don't let people speak into our lives we fail in the same way.
Proverbs 18:1 “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement.”
So, talking can be too easy and talking can be too hard. But, there is a time for one or the other. I pray for the Lord to give us discernment and wisdom to know the difference and mercy and grace when I fail.
