Silence is Golden

April 23

(Psalm 39:1 NIV) “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

(Proverbs 12:18 NIV) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

(Proverbs 18:21 NIV) “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

(James 3:5-12 NIV) “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. {6} The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. {7} All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, {8} but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. {9} With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. {10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. {11} Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? {12} My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

It has been said that silence is golden. For the most part, we are better off when we hold our tongue. It’s hard to get in trouble for words we do not say. The tongue can be a dagger that stabs and even kills. It can deeply wound those around us when wielded carelessly. Do your best to keep this knife in its sheath. Muzzling our mouths can prove to be difficult. It’s like trying to hold onto fire. It’s hard to restrain this kind of power. So we give in and let it all hang out. We employ a “scorched earth” policy when it comes to our words. Expressing ourselves has somehow become more important than exercising discretion. We have forgotten the destructive power that lies inside of our mouths. Get control of your tongue, Christian -- in public and at home with your family. Remember, silence is often more valuable than gold. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day