Quiet

There is something very important about being quiet and listening, something we all too often don't do. We are in a rush to voice our thoughts, our feelings, our beliefs, our ideas. The thoughts pop into our heads. Instant thoughts in relation to something being said perhaps and we want that thought voiced. We rarely take time to consider the implications of our thoughts, they are thoughts and we value our thoughts very highly and believe others should as well.  How often would we love to take back something we've said?  If we were LISTENERS we wouldn't have to have that desire so much.

Pro 17:27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Pro 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

He who has KNOWLEDGE-  SPARES HIS WORDS.

This doesn't say he who has knowledge speaks his words.  

I'm not saying the knowledgeable shouldn't speak not by a long shot, but one who truly has the knowledge that COUNTS understands how and when it is necessary to speak.  Those with this understanding, this knowledge, comprehend the value of their words and the words of others.

Even FOOLS who understand when to not speak are considered wise fools. This is truth!

One who is esteemed to be one with understanding is often esteemed for their KNOWING when NOT to speak.

This is very, very true.  Have you ever had a conversation with someone where you've spent time contemplating what you want to say and the other person wants you to hurry up with your reply? They don't quite understand why you have to think about what's being talked about and it bothers them?  Or perhaps you've been on the other side of this, wanting someone to speak when they want to take time to think.   Thinking instead of speaking is often frustrating when you want someone to speak, yet weighing words is truly better than speaking rashly even on subjects that someone might not consider all that important.

And what about this verse--

Ecc_9:17  The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

Heard in quiet more than the noise.

Are we more apt to truly listen to someone we who is prone to quiet speaking or one who is loud and braying constantly? Seriously. A loud, obnoxious person can drone on and on and we will tune them out, not truly caring about what they are talking about, but get a quiet, soft spoken person speaking and we are more prone to lean in to truly hear what they are saying. 

1Th 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you

Study to be quiet.

STUDY to be QUIET!

Have you ever challenged yourself to go a day without speaking at all? I'm not talking about when you were sick and couldn't speak due to illness or injury, but purposefully chosen to go a day without speaking. Or if not a day have you challenged yourself beyond the game playing of seeing who can be quite longer, ever?  What about taking a vow of a weekend of silence?  Maybe it's impossible because of your living situation- you have young children that wouldn't comprehend such a thing. How about a conditional silence, only speaking when spoken to, or when absolutely necessary (for a child or others wellbeing and safety)?  Is it silly to try such a challenge? What would you have to lose? What if you studied to be quiet in other ways but truly contemplated being quiet and what that means.   I'm not talking about being quiet and using a pen and paper. I'm not talking about getting all agitated and miming away in charades to others what you want to say but aren't speaking. I'm talking about NOT communicating at all, but being truly quiet.   I've never really done something like that but it's something I'm contemplating a bit just to see if I can be quiet in that sort of way.  I'd want those around me to know I was going to do this so they didn't think I was ignoring them, because I would be LISTENING, there would be no ban on listening at all, just on speaking and just for a short period of time as a study of sorts.  Being quiet in other ways if that isn't feasible could be trying my best to give a FULL minute or more before just spouting off whatever it was I want to say either in initiating a conversation or responding to one.  Being quiet in order to think, to study what is best to say or whether it's best to say nothing.

Truly there is a lot of food for thought here.

1Pe_3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

By the grace of God.

Quiet.